A study published February 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine found that among people infected with the virus, smokers were 2.4 times more likely to have severe illness compared with nonsmokers. Another study, also published February 28 in the Chinese Medical Journal, showed smoking increased the risk that COVID-19 infection would progress to pneumonia. Smokers are more likely to become infected with COVID-19 because of the frequent hand-to-mouth motion intrinsic to smoking, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has officially declared smoking a risk factor for the virus. Because of the risk to people who smoke, the American Lung Association (ALA), as well as other organizations invested in stop-smoking efforts, have redoubled their efforts to encourage smokers to quit as soon as possible. “COVID-19 is a lung infection that aggressively attacks the lungs and even leaves lung cells and tissue dead,” said Albert Rizzo, MD, the ALA chief medical officer, in a recent ALA blog post. “While it’s important to prevent getting COVID-19 in the first place, it’s also essential that we do all we can to keep our lungs healthy to avoid the worst effects of the disease.” RELATED: Lung Cancer’s Newest Face: Women Who Have Never Smoked
Why Quit Smoking During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Quitting smoking is difficult, but the payoffs in health benefits are known to accrue quickly. “Quitting results in near-immediate improvements to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, meaning that associated health problems — for example, cardiovascular conditions, lung conditions, and diabetes — can improve very soon after quitting smoking,” says Nicola Lindson, PhD, the managing editor and senior researcher with the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group. “This is likely to improve people’s responses to the infection and reduce their chances of transmitting it to others, as these conditions increase the risks of COVID-19,” says Dr. Lindson. RELATED: Cigarette Smoking Hits All-Time Low in the United States
Quitting Smoking During a Pandemic: Expert Guidance
A special series of papers published April 1 by the Cochrane Review lay out evidence-based guidance on quitting during the pandemic. According to the Cochrane Review, both behavioral support and smoking cessation medications increase the chances of success. The Cochrane Review also notes that reducing smoking without quitting has no health benefits and that the quitting period should be as short as possible. “People should not stop trying, and just because they have not been successful in the past does not mean that they will not be successful if they try again,” says Lindson. Studies show some smokers try to stop smoking a number of times before they are successful. Using an evidence-based approach will boost their chances, Lindson says. The current pandemic may pose some challenges to people who wish to quit, experts note. For example, stay-at-home orders and social isolation practices mean that people may not have in-person behavioral support groups available. But some communities have created virtual smoking cessation support groups, and telephone smoking quit-lines are common, Lindson says. Mobile phone interventions can also be utilized, and smokers should consult with their primary care providers for additional help and support. “There are many options available, even for those who are self-isolating,” says Lindson. “Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is available to buy at supermarkets and pharmacies without a prescription from the doctor in many countries,” Lindson says. “NRT has been found to increase a person’s chances of quitting by between 50 percent and 60 percent,” says Lindson. “It’s most effective when people use a nicotine patch and another faster-acting form of NRT at the same time. For example, nicotine gum, lozenge, nasal spray.” In the United States, nicotine skin patches, lozenges, and gum are available over the counter. Nicotine replacement therapy in the form of a nasal spray or oral inhaler requires a prescription, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. RELATED: Cancer and COVID-19: What You Need to Know to Protect Yourself
