Tobacco Use Increases Chances Of COVID-19 Infection, Warns India’s Health Ministry

While smoking, the fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) come in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth. Besides, use of water pipes or hookah by multiple persons enhances the possibility of the transmission of the virus, the ministry said.

Since tobacco use is a major factor for the four main Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) of cardiovascular ailment, cancer, chronic lung disease and diabetes, it can put people with these conditions at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. NCDs are estimated to account for 63 per cent of all deaths in India.