If studies have suggested that nicotine could have a protective effect on Covid-19, more recent research above all underlines the aggravated risks of complications for smokers, whatever the technique used.
- Smokers have a higher risk of developing a severe form of Covid-19
- It is the impact of cigarettes and e-cigarettes on the lungs and the cardiovascular system that aggravates this risk.
The risks of contracting a severe form of Covid-19 are greater in smokers, according to the World Health Organization. She said it in a communicated of May 11, 2020, after having conducted an analysis of the various studies published on the subject. “WHO urges researchers, scientists and the media to be cautious not to pass on unsubstantiated claims that tobacco or nicotine may reduce the risk of COVID-19”, specifies the text. At the end of April, researchers had come to the conclusion that nicotine, present in tobacco, could protect against Covid-19.
Potentially more serious symptoms
This time, scientists wanted to compare the effects of different tobacco products on the new coronavirus. Featured in European Heart Journal, the study shows that whatever the product, the risk of more serious symptoms is increased. “Tobacco cigarette and waterpipe may contribute to increased burden of symptoms of Covid-19, compared to non-smokers, including admission to intensive care, mechanical ventilation and severe consequences on health”. They also believe that in view of the toxicity of electronic cigarettes for the lungs and the cardiovascular system, its use exposes patients “to a greater risk of suffering from a severe form of Covid-19”.
Three Harmful Consumption Methods
The study conducted by German researchers also compares the general health consequences of these different products. Compared to non-smokers, the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is much higher for tobacco (704%) than for electronic cigarettes (194%). Hookah consumption increases this same risk by 218% compared to non- For lung cancer, the risk has not been assessed in electronic cigarette users, on the other hand, it is almost ten times higher for cigarette smokers compared to shisha smokers. Waterpipes are no less harmful than cigarettes and therefore cannot be considered a healthy alternative.
Whatever the product used, there is a health risk: the three types of consumption can cause dysfunctions of the endothelium, the cells lining the blood vessels. In short, there is no smoking without risk, even for the electronic cigarette.
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