Smoking and Vaping can increase your COVID-19 risks

While there is not enough evidence to be certain that people who smoke are more likely to get COVID-19, we know that they are at a higher risk of getting lung and chest infections in general. This means that it is more likely than not that people who smoke have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 compared to people who do not smoke.

Also, the hand-to-mouth action of smoking and e-cigarette use means that people who smoke may be more vulnerable to COVID-19, as they are touching their face and mouth more often.

Sharing any type of tobacco or smoking product (for example, cigarettes, e-cigarettes or shisha/waterpipes) can also increase the risk of spreading COVID-19.

There is growing evidence to suggest that people who smoke are likely to be more severely impacted by COVID-19, because smoking damages the lungs so that they do not work as well. For example, lungs naturally produce mucus, but people who smoke have more and thicker mucus that is hard to clean out of the lungs. This mucus clogs the lungs and is prone to becoming infected. Smoking also affects the immune system, making it harder to fight infection.

There is also evidence that people with other health conditions like cardiovascular disease and cancer are more likely to experience severe complications of COVID-19. Smoking increases the risk of many of these conditions.

It is not currently known if former smokers have a higher risk of getting COVID-19 compared to people who have never smoked. People who smoke are at increased risk of lung infections in general, but the lungs do heal relatively rapidly when people stop smoking. It is not yet known how long is long enough to reduce the risk to the same as someone who has never smoked.

If you previously smoked and are now quit, it is likely you will have a lower risk of severe complications (if you were infected with the virus) than you would have if you were still smoking.

This is not currently known for COVID-19 specifically, but it is well-established that stopping smoking improves lung health within a few months. Rates of lung infections like bronchitis and pneumonia also decrease.

For people who smoke, stop smoking medications like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can help to reduce cravings and manage withdrawal symptoms. When combined with tailored support from the Idaho Quitline, these medications give people the best chance of successfully quitting.

There is no evidence that COVID-19 has an impact on the safety and effectiveness of these medications. If you are already using these medications, it is safe to continue to do so, as instructed by your doctor. If you are thinking about starting these medications, it is best to first speak with an Idaho Quitline counselor or your doctor.

The best thing you can do for your health is to stop smoking. The best way to stop smoking is to use a tailored quit counseling service such as the Idaho QuitLine, plus stop smoking medications, such as nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges.

If you or someone you know is ready to quit using tobacco products, free help is available by visiting: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) and projectfilter.org.

If you or someone you know uses e-cigarette products and experiences symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, fatigue, fever, or weight loss, seek medical care immediately.