Smoking and COVID-19: A Literature Review of Cohort Studies in Non-Chinese Population Settings

Yao

et al. 2022

IJERPH

Objectives. This study aims at examining the impact of graphic pictorial warning labels on inten-tion to quit smoking and perceived harms among Chinese working-age adults (n = 661). Methods. A randomized controlled trial is utilized as the research design by comparing three scenarios: Group 1 as baseline (n = 193) and presented with real market tobacco products with text-only la-bels, Group 2 as price group and with hypothetical scenarios of manipulated prices, and Group 3 as the imaging group and with hypothetical scenarios of graphic pictorial cigarette warning la-bels. Both bivariate and multivariate analyses are utilized to determine the effectiveness of warn-ing labels. Results. Graphic pictorial cigarette warning labels are associated with stronger inten-tion to quit smoking and greater perceived harms. Smokers have a greater number of attempts if they are less nicotine dependent and express greater smoking risk perceptions. Conclusions. This study adds to the evidence that graphic pictorial warning labels are more effective than text-only labels in increasing intention to quit smoking. As China strives to achieve a reduction in smoking to meet the goal of the Healthy China 2030 initiative, this work strengthens the evidence base for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers to design low-cost warning labels on cigarette packs to promote tobacco control.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reactions to Pictorial and Text Cigarette Pack Warning Labels among Chinese Smokers

Yao

et al. 2022

IJERPH

“…Results of another meta-analysis show that ACE2 expression is higher in smokers and COPD patients, which indicates that smokers have a higher risk of developing COVID-19 (53). In a review of seven cohort studies from settings outside of China, Rodgers et al also show that smoking increases the risk of developing COVID-19 and the disease severity (54), but there are studies that deny any association between smoking and the risk of COVID-19. Results of a meta-analysis show no significant relationship between smoking and the progression of COVID-19 (55,56).…”

Section: Sars-cov-2 and Smokingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between Smoking and Viral Pneumonia: A Narrative Review

et al. 2022

Viral pneumonia affects about 200 million people each year. Viral pneumonias have a seasonal pattern and are more common among children and the elderly. The most common virus in children is respiratory syncytial virus (RCV) and it is the influenza virus in adults. The world has been fighting the COVID-19 pandemic since December 2019. Among all the epidemiological risk factors, the role of smoking as a risk factor for pneumonia is controversial. Cigarette smoke contains about 5000 chemicals that weaken the defense mechanisms of the respiratory system and increase the risk of various respiratory infections. The present review study was carried out on 105 articles that were obtained from searches in Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar search engines using the keywords viral pneumonia, COVID-19, influenza, cigarette, smoking, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS-CoV-2. A total of 55 articles that focused on the effect of smoking on the incidence and mortality of pneumonia due to RSV, influenza, and coronavirus were selected. Exposure to secondhand smoke makes children more susceptible to RSV infection. Smokers are also more likely to become infected and die from the flu. The effect of smoking on the risk of COVID-19 is controversial. In this regard, the results of a number of studies show that smokers are at a greater risk of developing COVID-19 infection and death. However, there are other studies suggesting that smoking has no effect on COVID-19 infection and that smoking reduces the risk of developing COVID-19.

QJM: An International Journal of Medicine

“…1). 2 Symptoms of psychiatric, neurological and physical illnesses, as well as inflammatory damage to the brain in individuals with post-COVID syndrome may increase suicidal behavior in this patient population. 1…”

Section: Tobacco Smoking and Suicidementioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 Considerable evidence suggests that tobacco smoking is associated with increased severity of COVID-19 and death in COVID-19 patients. 2 Tobacco smoking cessation is necessary to decrease COVID-19 -related hospitalizations and deaths. 2 In this commentary, I suggest that tobacco smoking cessation is also needed to reduce suicides during and after COVID-19.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Smoking enhances suicide risk—a significant role in the COVID-19 pandemic?

Sher

2021

The COVID-19 outbreak has severely affected the whole world. Considerable evidence suggests that tobacco smoking is associated with increased severity of COVID-19 and death in COVID-19 patients. Tobacco smoking cessation is necessary to decrease COVID-19—related hospitalizations and deaths. In this commentary, I suggest that tobacco smoking cessation is also needed to reduce suicidal behavior during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic leads to increased tobacco consumption as smokers use more tobacco to cope with pandemic related stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Multiple studies have demonstrated that tobacco smoking is associated with suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide death, and a contributing factor in the pathophysiology of suicide. Smoking may increase the probability of development of post-COVID syndrome because it increases severity of COVID-19. Suicide risk may be increased in individuals with post-COVID syndrome. Smoking prevention and cessation should be a target of suicide prevention interventions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic enhances the need to act to integrate tobacco smoking cessation in the health care as a standard of patient care.