Reduce your risk of COVID-19, and quit smoking and vaping

Quitting smoking can be challenging under the best of circumstances. Add in the stress and isolation brought on by theCOVID-19 pandemic and you compound that challenge.

Research shows that smoking and vaping are harmful to lung health. They can also increase the risk of not only developing COVID-19, but impact the severity of the infection.

Howdoes smoking or vaping increasemy risk of gettingCOVID-19?

We knowthat smoking causes several respiratory diseases, including emphysema. Smoking also suppresses the immune system and reduces your body’s ability to fight infections. This makes you more susceptible toCOVID-19.

Does smoking raisemy risk of getting a severe case ofCOVID-19?

Smoking affects the ability of the lungs to function normally and do their job of providing fresh oxygen to your body. When you add a COVID-19 infection on top of that, this can lead toworse health outcomes.

Does vaping increasemy risk of aCOVID-19 infection?

According to theNational Institutes ofHealth, people who smoke are two times more likely to get the flu than non-smokers. Thismay be true forCOVID-19 infection aswell.

Research is limited forCOVID-19 infections caused by electronic cigarettes/ vaping. A study by the Journal for AdolescentHealth looked at more than 4,000 young people ages 13-24 who vaped. The study found that theywere five times more likely to getCOVID-19 than young

people who didn’t vape.

Youth who smoked cigarettes and vapedwere seven times more likely to get a COVID-19 diagnoses, compared with those who didn’t use any form of tobacco.

Howcan I quit smoking or vaping?

Trying to quit during this time is possible. But it requires a plan. Your plan can include finding alternativeways to deal with triggers associated with smoking. Medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for quitting nicotine are helpful in curbing smoking cravings.

Howlong does it take to see changes inmy health after quitting tobacco use?

When you stop smoking, the healing starts almost immediately.

Within the first 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse begin normalizing. Your lung function improves in one to three months. Make a list of all of the health benefits of quitting. Include all the important personal reasons youwant to quit. This can keep you motivated. And don’t forget to reward yourself for each day you don’t smoke/vape!

Resources

Feel your best nowby quitting tobacco. There are many resources to help you quit. They come in many forms – in-person, online or by telephone. To talk to a tobacco treatment specialist at Anne ArundelMedical Center’s Nicotine Dependence Program, call 443-481-5366.

Joanne Ebner is manager of the Cancer Prevention Department andNicotine Dependence Program atAnneArundelMedical Center.