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WHO says smoking linked to higher risk of COVID virus

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In April, French researchers released a small study suggesting smokers were at less risk of catching COVID-19 and planned to test nicotine patches on patients and health workers but their findings were questioned by many scientists

The World Health Organisation says smoking is linked to a higher risk of severe illness and death from the coronavirus in hospitalised patients, although it was unable to specify exactly how much greater those risks might be.

In a scientific brief published this week, the UN health agency reviewed 34 published studies on the association between smoking and COVID-19, including the probability of infection, hospitalisation, severity of disease and death.

WHO noted that smokers represent up to 18 per cent of hospitalised coronavirus patients and that there appeared to be a significant link between whether or not patients smoked and the severity of disease they suffered, the type of hospital interventions required and patients’ risk of dying.

In April, French researchers released a small study suggesting smokers were at less risk of catching COVID-19 and planned to test nicotine patches on patients and health workers but their findings were questioned by many scientists at the time who cited the lack of definitive data.

WHO says “the available evidence suggests that smoking is associated with increased severity of disease and death in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. It recommends that smokers quit.”

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2 Comments
  1. Rakesh says

    If you read the article, it’s clear that WHO has not said what’s in the headline! #FactCheckKarona

  2. Salman says

    This is absurd! In a world where millions of poor stand to be affected by shortage of medical facilities and recession, @WHO is still publicising its pet project. #SmokeScreen

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