VAPING AND COVID-19
#ES #FINDMYFLAVOUR #FORTHEVAPERS
(10 min read)
COVID-19: advice for smokers and vapers
The evidence on smoking and coronavirus (COVID-19) is mixed and developing. On the available evidence, we advise:
- If you smoke, you generally have an increased risk of contracting respiratory infection and of more severe symptoms once infected. COVID-19 symptoms may, therefore, be more severe if you smoke
- stopping smoking will bring immediate benefits to your health, including if you have an existing smoking-related disease. This is particularly important for both you and for our healthcare providers at a time of intense pressure on the health service
- e-cigarettes (vapes) can be an effective aid to stopping smoking and staying smoke free
- it is currently unknown what effect vaping may have on susceptibility to severe disease if you are infected with COVID-19
- for most people vaping remains significantly less harmful than smoking and it is very important that you avoid returning to smoking
- visit smoke free for information and advice on stopping smoking
SMOKING AND COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory viral infection that affects the lungs and airways. There is strong evidence that smoking tobacco is generally associated with an increased risk of developing respiratory viral infections.
Smoking causes damage to the lungs and airways and harms the immune system, reducing your ability to fight infection. Smoking also involves repetitive hand-to-face movements, which increase the risk of viruses entering the body.
This means that if you smoke, you generally have an increased risk of contracting respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, and you are more likely to have underlying smoking-related conditions, which could lead to more severe disease outcomes.
People who are exposed to secondhand smoke are also at generally increased risk of harm to their lungs and hearts. Children are especially at risk when exposed to secondhand smoke as they have less well-developed airways, lungs, and immune systems.
Stopping smoking now will bring immediate benefits to your health, including if you have an existing smoking-related disease. This is particularly important at a time of intense pressure on the NHS.
There is a lot of support available to help you to stop smoking and getting the right support can boost your chances of success by up to 3 times. Using nicotine replacement products reduces tobacco withdrawal symptoms and can help you to quit and stay smoke free. Visit smoke free for information and advice on stopping smoking.
VAPING AND COVID-19
E-cigarettes (vapes) can be an effective aid to stopping smoking and staying smoke free. The evidence on the health risks of e-cigarettes is still developing. However, vaping is far less harmful to the respiratory system than smoking. There is very little evidence on vaping and COVID-19 and it is unknown whether vaping makes you more susceptible to severe disease if you become infected. If it does, the risk is likely to be much less than if you smoke.
Vaping remains much less harmful than smoking for most people and it is very important that you avoid returning to smoking.
Vaping involves repetitive hand-to-face movements, which provide greater risk of a route of entry into the body for viruses. To reduce the risk of contact with COVID-19, you should:
- wash your hands more frequently than usual, for 20 seconds, with soap and water (or use hand sanitiser if soap is not available)
- clean your e-cigarette regularly
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DO NOT SHARE ANY VAPING DEVICES
PHE’s 2018 independent e-cigarette evidence review found that, to date, there have been no identified health risks of passive vaping to bystanders. There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 can be caught from passive exposure to e-cigarette vapour, but in the absence of evidence, we recommend that vapers avoid exhaling clouds of vapour in the presence of others.
Written By David Trosh | @ashadyreview | ES Blogger