Smoking can increase vulnerability to Covid-19 infection - NCAS

Photo: Tracey Adams/African News Agency(ANA)

Photo: Tracey Adams/African News Agency(ANA)

Published Mar 13, 2020

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CAPE TOWN - The National Council Against Smoking (NCAS) in South Africa has said that although smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke does not cause Covid-19, it does increase vulnerability to infection. 

In a report released on Friday, the council said that studies in the progression of Covid-19-induced pneumonia among Chinese patients indicated higher levels of illness in those with a history of smoking.

Smokers have a weakened immune system and a lowered resistance to infections relative to non-smokers.

The NCAS encourages smokers to stop smoking, as well as to ensure that children are not exposed to second-hand smoke.

In South Africa, 24 cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed by Friday afternoon, with additional tests pending. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday declared the virus a pandemic. It has, according to WHO figures, already claimed 4, 200 lives globally, and has reached 114 countries. 

There are just over 118 000 known infections worldwide, with the vast majority of these being in China, the epicentre of the disease.

African News Agency

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