Smokers more at risk of getting coronavirus
ANEW study by the University of California found that smokers are up to three times more at risk of being infected by Covid-19 compared to non-smokers.
Anti-smoking campaign group ASH Wales spoke to Dr Brigitte Gomperts, co-author of the study and Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, about what the research revealed and why it’s more important than ever for smokers to quit the habit.
■ Before embarking on the study, what information did you have about the risk faced by smokers from Covid-19?
When we started our study, it wasn’t clear to us whether cigarette smoking was a risk factor for severe Covid-19 or not.
The research studies looking at smokers with Covid-19 were confusing and didn’t directly look at the interaction between smoking and Covid-19 in airway cells. ■ What were you aiming to find out in the study? We were aiming to find out how direct cigarette smoke exposure affects Covid-19.
■ Can you describe the methodology behind the research?
We grew lung airway models in the dish in the lab from healthy non-smoker patients and either exposed them to cigarette smoke in a smoking chamber, or to room air in a separate chamber, for just three minutes per day for four days. We then infected the lung airway models with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
Then we analysed the lung airway models to see how many cells were infected in each group.
■ What did the study show about the how likely smokers are to be infected by Covid-19?
The study showed that lung airway models first exposed to cigarette smoke before SARS-CoV-2 infection had two to three times more infected cells than the lung airway models from the same patient that were not exposed to cigarette smoke.
■ Why are smokers more likely to be infected by Covid-19?
We then studied why more cells are infected if they are first exposed to cigarette smoke before SARS-CoV-2 infection and found that cigarette smoking reduces the lung tissue defences against the virus. If you think of the airways like the high walls that protect a castle, smoking cigarettes is the equivalent of creating holes in these walls. Smoking reduces the natural defences, and this allows the virus to enter and take over the cells.
■ If smokers become ill with Covid-19 are they more likely to suffer more serious symptoms compared to non-smokers?
Based on our studies, we believe that current smokers are more likely to have more infected cells in their lungs and therefore be at risk for more serious Covid19.
■ What would your message to smokers be based on the evidence from the study?
My message to smokers is that smoking puts you at increased risk for more severe Covid-19 and this is therefore a great time to stop smoking.
There are many new products available to help you stop smoking and I would suggest that you contact your GP to find out more.
■ For free help and support to quit smoking contact NHS Wales’ smoking cessation service Help Me Quit on 0808 278 2522.