Are you a smoker? You must know these things about the coronavirus (COVID-19)!

We all know that the coronavirus (COVID-19) can be very serious for some people. People with certain health conditions are at higher risk. So, if you smoke or vape, you are at higher risk. That's why it's important to take extra precautions to protect yourself from this virus. Let's talk about this in more detail .

Are smokers more likely to get COVID-19?

Think about it simply. When you use a cigarette or vape, your fingers are directly touching your lips. This may seem like a simple thing, but if you have the virus on your hands, it is much more likely to go directly into your mouth. Also, when some people use things like hookahs (water pipes), they share the mouthpiece and the tube with others. If you use them with someone who is infected with the virus, you can also get the disease.

In addition to these things, smoking and vaping can weaken your body's immune system , especially reducing your ability to resist infections related to the respiratory system.

Inside our lungs are tiny hair-like structures. We call these cilia . These are the main defenders of our body that catch viruses, germs, and dust that enter our respiratory system and sweep them out. When we smoke, these valuable defenders called cilia are damaged. Then, if a virus like coronavirus enters the body, it can easily settle in the lungs because there is no one to stop it.

Medical research has found that the coronavirus enters the cells of our lungs through gates called ACE2 receptors . It has also been found that the number of these gates is higher in the lungs of smokers. This means that there are more doors for the virus to enter.

Can smokers get more severe COVID-19?

Yes, the chances are very high. The reason is, if you are a smoker, your lungs may already be damaged to some extent. Since the coronavirus directly attacks the lungs, it is difficult for the already weakened lungs to withstand this attack.

Usually, even when you get a cold or flu, it's more severe for smokers than for non-smokers. So, when a serious virus like COVID-19 comes along, the situation can be even more serious.

Smokers are more likely to develop serious lung infections, such as pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) .A very dangerous complication may occur.

• What is ARDS? Simply put, it's a condition in which the tiny air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid. This makes it difficult to breathe properly and prevents the body from getting the oxygen it needs. This can lead to reduced oxygen levels in the blood, damage to other organs, and even death.

In addition, smokers are at increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease. If someone with these conditions gets COVID-19, the complications can be very severe.

Are vapers and marijuana users also at risk?

Yes. Vapers are at risk for the same reasons as smokers. They also have common factors like hand-to-mouth contact and weakened immune systems. In addition, research has found that chemicals in the aerosols from e-cigarettes damage lung cells, which further reduces their ability to fight off viruses.

Even with cannabis, the problem lies more in the process of inhaling it into the lungs as 'smoke' than in what is used.Smoking damages the lungs. So, when it comes to the coronavirus, it's safer to use cannabis in edible forms than smoking it. But remember, it's harder to control the amount you take in that way, so you need to be careful about that too.

So how can this risk be reduced?

The best and only thing to do is to stop smoking and vaping completely. People who already smoke and vape are at greater risk of health problems from this virus.

Within a few weeks or months of quitting smoking, many people experience less coughing and shortness of breath. Those cilia we talked about earlier start to grow back. Having a healthy cilia system means your lungs are better able to fight off a virus.

If you need help quitting smoking...

If you feel like this is too difficult to do alone, never be shy about asking for help.

• Talk to your doctor about this. He or she can educate you about various methods and medications that can help you quit smoking.

Be sure to do these things to protect yourself from COVID-19

• Get the COVID-19 vaccine. Complete all doses.
• Maintain as much social distance from others as possible.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water regularly or use a sanitizer.
• Wear a mask in places where other people are present.
• Always avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces in the home (door handles, switches) regularly.