As the entire world struggles with the new realities of the coronavirus pandemic, much of the focus has been on higher-risk individuals contracting the virus. Higher risk individuals include the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. There is now concern that vaping and smoking may increase your COVID-19 risks.
COVID-19 attacks your lungs. People who smoke or vape have been doing significant damage to their lungs, so this new virus will be harder for their bodies to fight off. The CDC has reported that a significant number of hospitilizations due to coronavirus are with young adults under the age of 44. This definitely paints a different picture than just of the elderly being rushed to the hospital with breathing complications due to COVID-19.
Smoking diminishes the lungs capacity to function correctly and fight off infections. It has been proven that people who smoke are at an increased risk of serious complications when they get any type of illness. One of those risks include acute respiratory distress syndrome.
According to a recent CNN article, “The odds of a Covid-19 case becoming more severe — and at the most extreme, leading to death — were 14 times higher among people who had a history of smoking compared to those who did not smoke, Glantz said, citing a study from China published in the peer-reviewed Chinese Medical Journal in February. The study also found those with a history of smoking had a 14% higher risk of developing pneumonia.” Stanton Glantz is a professor of medicine and director of the Center for Tobacco Research Control & Education at University of California, San Francisco.
Along with staying at home, social distancing and washing hands, people should consider giving up smoking to give their lungs a fighting chance should they become infected with coronavirus.
Clark Perdue is currently investigating matters involving vaping deaths and injuries. If you or a loved one has experienced complications from vaping, please contact us for further information.