According to a new study by the researchers at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) smokers are up to three times more at risk of being infected by Covid-19 compared to non-smokers. We spoke to Dr. Brigitte Gomperts, co-author of the study and Professor of Pulmonary Medicine at UCLA 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 effects 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 3 minutes per day for 4 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 2-3 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 COVID-19.
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 .
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