LONDON: A new study has found that smokers are more likely to develop COVID-19 symptoms and end up in hospital, contrary to previous research that suggested smoking reduces the risks of smoking. is accompanied by the virus.
Researchers at King’s College London (KCL) analyzed data from more than 2 million people and found that smokers are more than twice as likely to go into hospital from COVID-19, and 14 per cent more likely to suffer from cough, shortness of breath and fever.
They also found that smoking makes patients 50 percent more likely to develop a number of symptoms – including cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell and appetite, muscle weakness, diarrhea and upset – which experts believe that is usually a sign of a more serious disease.
The new study contradicts previous research which found that smokers were less likely to catch the virus and were suffering from less severe symptoms.
These findings, which included studies from Mexico and data from Greece, that opposed researchers, contradicted conventional understanding of the negative effects of smoking on respiratory illnesses.
Dr Mario Falchi, principal investigator and senior lecturer at KCL, said: “Some reports have suggested that smoking has a protective effect on the risk of COVID-19. However, studies in this area are easily influenced by trends in sampling, participation, and response. ”
He said: “Our results clearly show that smokers are at greater risk of developing a wider range of COVID-19 symptoms than non-smokers. ”
Despite early indications that smokers were at lower risk of disease, the World Health Organization reported that smoking could make people more susceptible to COVID-19. KCL research is the first concrete data to support this claim.
Claire Steves, chief researcher and consultant physician at KCL, said the findings could help in the fight against the latest wave of COVID-19.
“It’s important that we do what we can to reduce the effects of the disease and find ways to reduce hospital admissions,” she said.
“Our analysis shows that smoking increases a person’s likelihood of attending hospital, so stopping smoking is one of the things we can do to reduce the health effects of smoking. reduce disease. ”