A French study suggested that nicotine may have a protective effect against coronavirus and although it was not a peer-reviewed article and it does not gain any support in the scientific world, it has been widely reported in the media and social media. It encourages many people who feel desperate to find a way of protecting themselves against coronavirus, to put themselves at a greater risk of being addicted to nicotine.
Just today (April 26, 2020), less than 6,000 people lost their lives because of coronavirus, while more than 20,000 people died due to tobacco-related diseases worldwide; nonetheless, the fear of death from coronavirus between people is way higher.
Although this disease was not with us for more than 4 or 5 months, there are many ambiguities about the pathogenesis and different manifestations of Covid-19. So far the results of therapeutic methods were contradictory and none of the influential international centers such as the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, were able to approve a unique treatment plan. Also, several hypotheses proposed a relationship between tobacco consumption and the risk of being infected with coronavirus and forming a severe type of the disease that could result in hospitalization and the need for intensive care unit and subsequent death. While there are no definite results in this regard yet, What is certain and scientifically well-documented is that tobacco consumption causes a general weakening of the immune system, especially weakening of the respiratory system, and the onset of more than 50 diseases and 25 types of cancers.
The age, method, and choice of product to consume (cigarette or hookah), individually and collectively have destructive effects on public and individual health. Therefore, to protect public health and based on the frequent recommendations of the World Health Organization, measures to control tobacco at national and international levels must be seriously taken by governments and the public.
