Health experts believe that those who smoke, vape or drink alcohol are at higher risk of serious illness due to COVID-19. We hope these warnings will help you protect yourself and your loved ones.
Dr. Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association, explains how vaping or smoking can weaken a person’s ability to recover from COVID-19. He says, “What we know for sure is that smoking and vaping causes harm to the lungs, leaving them inflamed, fragile and susceptible to infection.”
Dr. Susan Sirota, pediatrician with Pediatric Partners in Highland Park and assistant professor of clinical pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, said: “While this disease is only four months old and much is still unknown, all the evidence strongly supports that those who smoke or vape have a higher risk of serious complications.”
The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains in its blog how people who vape tobacco or marijuana or have substance use disorders, could have an increased risk of complications if they contract COVID-19.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports in USA Today that alcohol use increases people’s risk for COVID-19 by weakening the body’s immune response to fight off the virus.
WHO also warns that alcohol use may put people with mental health issues at greater risk.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has set up a hotline for residents to call with questions about COVID-19.
