What we know for sure is that smoking seems to increases risk of flu. Data shows a higher mortality among smokers in the 2012 MERS-CoV. Some preliminary studies on COVID19 and smokers found unfavorable outcomes. This data was done so early with COVID19, that it may not be current but I wanted to provide the analysis and observations.
- Smokers were 1.4 times more likely to have severe symptoms compared to non-smokers
- Smokers were 2.4 times more likely to be admitted to an ICU, need mechanical ventilators, or die compared to non-smokers
The pattern (this study and more current ones) seems to indicate that smoking is most likely linked to negative progression and adverse outcomes with the COVID19 pandemic. So, this is more evidence to indicate that one of the best things smokers can do to protect themselves from COVID19 risks is to quit smoking.
Although this habit is one of the harder habits to break, please reach out and get help from medical professionals or work with a health & wellness coach trained in this to progress your goal of smoking cessation. It’s a life-saving lifestyle change.
