Coronavirus

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

By
OB Bureau
July 29, 2020 2:13 pm

Pic Courtesy: Flowingzen.com

New Delhi: In a warning to the smokers, the Union Health Ministry has said the use of tobacco products can increase severity of respiratory infections and make people susceptible to coronavirus.

In its document ‘COVID-19 Pandemic and Tobacco Use in India’, the ministry quoted the experts to say that smokers are more likely to develop severe symptoms or die of COVID-19 as it primarily attacks the lungs.

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.

Besides, the chemicals in tobacco used for smoking suppress different types of immune cells that work for immune responses. “Smoking, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, pan masala and similar products can increase risk and severity of pulmonary infections because of damage to upper airways and a decrease in pulmonary immune function,” the ministry said.

Chewing tobacco products like khaini, gutkha, paan and zarda lead to spitting which increases health risks especially of diseases like COVID-19, tuberculosis, swine flu and encephalitis. “The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare warns against the use of any tobacco products,” the ministry said.

OB Bureau

Share
By
OB Bureau
July 29, 2020 2:13 pm

Recent Posts

Poll Musing: Of Pride, Dosti & Free Rice

Poor Odias! Do they have a place to run? Hindi-speaking non-Odias have been terribly busy…

May 18, 2024

Police Constable Found Dead In Hotel Room Under Mysterious Conditions In Odisha’s Balangir

Balangir: A reserve police constable was found dead under mysterious circumstances with his hands and…

May 18, 2024

Eight Killed As Bus Carrying Pilgrims In Haryana Catches Fire

New Delhi: At least eight people were killed, and several others injured in Haryana when…

May 18, 2024

Saudi Arabia Holds First Swimwear Fashion Show

New Delhi: Saudi Arabia held its first fashion show featuring swimsuit models on Friday. The…

May 18, 2024

I-T Raid Continues For 2nd Day In Odisha’s Jharsuguda After Interrogation Of BJD MLA Dipali Das’ Brother

Jharsuguda: After interrogating BJD MLA Dipali Das’ brother Bishal, officials of the Income Tax department…

May 18, 2024

Agra Adds a New Attraction To Its Heritage; Will It Give Competition To Taj Mahal?

New Delhi: A new white marble structure in Agra that took 104 years to build…

May 18, 2024

Odisha Elections 2024: Curtains To Fall On Campaign Today For 2nd Round Amid High Stakes

Bhubaneswar: The high-decibel campaigning for the second phase of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in…

May 18, 2024

Odisha: BJD MLA Dipali Das’ Brother Quizzed By I-T Officials

Jharsuguda: Income-Tax officials reportedly interrogated son of slain BJD leader Naba Kishore Das and brother…

May 18, 2024