Public Health England: COVID-19 - advice for smokers and vapers

Public Health England have published advice for smokers and vapers with regards to COVID-19. The evidence on smoking and coronavirus (COVID-19) is mixed and developing. On the available evidence, PHE advise:

• if you smoke, you generally have an increased risk of contracting respiratory infection and of more severe symptoms once infected. COVID-19 symptoms may, therefore, be more severe if you smoke
• stopping smoking will bring immediate benefits to your health, including if you have an existing smoking-related disease. This is particularly important for both you and for our NHS at a time of intense pressure on the health service
• e-cigarettes (vapes) can be an effective aid to stopping smoking and staying smokefree
• it is currently unknown what effect vaping may have on susceptibility to severe disease if you are infected with COVID-19
• for most people vaping remains significantly less harmful than smoking and it is very important that you avoid returning to smoking
• visit Smokefree for information and advice on stopping smoking

For more information click here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-advice-for-smokers-and-vapers/covid-19-advice-for-smokers-and-vapers