New Delhi (NVI): More than 3,00,000 in the UK may have quit smoking during the coronavirus pandemic, amid fears that cigarettes may make oneself more vulnerable to Covid-19 infection as suggested by a study, reports World Economic Forum.
According to a recent survey of UK smokers, many have quit smoking in recent months or are thinking about it because of coronavirus.
The survey of UK adults conducted by YouGov and the campaign group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) suggests that a further 550,000 smokers have tried to quit, and 2.4 million have cut down.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also suggested that smokers are more vulnerable to COVID-19, as their fingers are frequently in contact with their lips, increasing the likelihood of the virus being transmitted from their hands.
Smokers may also already have lung problems and reduced breathing capacity, which could impact their ability to battle coronavirus.
Apart from that, a small study from China found that COVID-19 sufferers who smoke are significantly more likely to develop severe pneumonia, reports WFP.
2% percent of people in the survey had quit due to concerns about coronavirus, while 8% were trying to quit and 36% had cut down. A large section of the surveyed population said they were more likely to quit, and former smokers were less likely to resume.
Smoking leads to a number of health issues, such as heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory problems. Even if someone has developed smoking-related health problems, quitting will likely improve life expectancy and bring both immediate and longer-term health benefits.
