Abstract

COSTA, Luís Paulo. COVID-19: An Opportunity to Quit Smoking. Gaz Med [online]. 2021, vol.8, n.1, pp.17-19.  Epub May 10, 2021. ISSN 2183-8135.  https://doi.org/10.29315/gm.v8i1.400.

Current evidence suggests that there is a relationship between smoking and the severity of COVID-19, with higher mortality in patients with COVID-19 who are smokers. Also the risk of contagion by SARS-CoV-2 is increased in smokers, either by the gesture of smoking with consequent hand-mouth contact or by sharing tobacco products.

The COVID-19 pandemic can represent an opportunity to strengthen smoking prevention and control policies and appears as an opportune time to encourage and support smokers to quit. The recognition that the new coronavirus may have more serious consequences for smokers, and that quitting reduces this risk, seems to be related to a greater motivation to quit. Studies have shown an increase in smoking cessation rates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords : COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; SARS-CoV-2; Tobacco Use Cessation.

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