Examine The Risks Of And Potential Protective Effects Against Covid-19 In Relation To Smoking Status

Abstract

The relationship between smoking and the incidence of COVID-19 remains ambiguous. Several epidemiological studies have reported a low prevalence of smokers among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, raising a hypothesis that smoking has a potential protective effect against the disease. Aims: This study aims to examine the risks of and potential protective effect against COVID-19 in relation to smoking status. Methods: Setting: The study was carried out in three different Public Cafe in Lattakia city, Syria. Subjects: The study subjects comprised 60 persons who confirmed they did not have the laboratory-confirmed covid-19 disease. They were divided into two equal groups. The cases group: smokers. The controls group: nonsmokers. Tools: Two tools were used for data collection: the socio-demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule, and the self- reported COVID-19 and serology test. Results: The self- reported COVID-19 was significantly higher among smokers than nonsmokers (56.67% vs 26.67%,), and a significantly higher proportion of smokers tested positive for COVID-19 than the nonsmokers (80.0% vs 40.0%). Conclusion: The smoking increases both the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 and symptomatic disease. Recommendations: Smoking cessation should be considered as an essential element in strategies to blunt the COVID-19 pandemic.