People who smoke cigarettes or vape are more likely to have a severe reaction to the Coronavirus. It is well documented that smoking and vaping are linked to inflammation of the lung and respiratory tract. Both groups of smokers are at a heightened risk of developing chronic lung conditions, which have been associated with more severe cases of COVID-19.
A high percentage of smokers have health conditions like COPD, heart disease and asthma which are made worse by smoking and exacerbated by illness. For these smokers, catching the virus increases their risk of developing complications from Covid-19 and is potentially fatal.
What the Medical Community Says
Smoking has adverse health effects on the entire lung, and affects every aspect of lung structure and function, including impairing the body’s defenses against infection.
Smokers have more severe respiratory issues as a general rule. They clear mucus less efficiently, and the cilia which get infectious particles and secretions out of the lungs, work less efficiently. Smoking also causes inflammation in the airways, which makes coughing much more painful in the later stages of the illness.