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Are smokers and tobacco users at higher risk of COVID-19 infection? Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth. Smokers may also already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious illness. Smoking products such as water pipes often involve the sharing of mouth pieces and hoses, which could facilitate the transmission of COVID-19 in communal and social settings. Conditions that increase oxygen needs or reduce the ability of the body to use it properly will put patients at higher risk of serious lung conditions such as pneumonia. “Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth,” it said. “Sharing tobacco products can transmit the virus between people. Tobacco weakens your respiratory system making you more vulnerable to the virus,” it added. The WHO went on to say that smokers may also already have reduced vital capacity or lung disease which would greatly increase the risk of serious illness. Smoking products such as water pipes often involve the sharing of hoses and mouthpieces, which facilitates the transmission of the virus in social and communal settings. The global health body added that conditions that increase oxygen needs will put patients at higher risk of serious lung conditions like pneumonia. The WHO had said that drinking alcohol can increase the risk of catching COVID-19 and make it worse in confirmed cases while recommending the government leaders around the limit access to alcohol during the lockdown. “Alcohol compromises the body’s immune system and increases the risk of adverse health outcomes,” it said.

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