Dear PAVe Community,  

We hope that all of you are taking the necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your families from the COVID-19 pandemic. Given some recent news about the potential risks associated with smoking or vaping and COVID-19, we want to share our understanding of these warnings. 

Epidemiologists and health experts are still learning about the transmission and progression of COVID-19. It seems quite certain that the elderly, individuals with underlying medical conditions, and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to serious illness. According to the CDC, those with lung disease are more likely to become seriously ill. Smoking is also understood to be a risk factor, based on emerging data from cases in China.

While there is not yet conclusive evidence about vaping and COVID-19, existing research shows that vaping negatively impacts lung health, particularly in those under 26 with developing lungs. Vaping is shown to suppress the immune system and increase vulnerability and delay recovery from lung infections. As medical professionals have pointed out, anything that is damaging to your lungs and immune system could increase your susceptibility to COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.

If you suspect your child is vaping, you might want to discuss with them that the CDC’s recommended precautions include frequent handwashing, social distancing and a warning against the sharing of utensils and dishes with those who are sick. There is no research about teens’ sharing vape devices and increased risk of contracting COVID-19. However, it is reasonable to assume that doing so is potentially dangerous, particularly as we navigate this pandemic. 

For World Health Organization tips on how to help your child manage stress during this public-health emergency, please check out this page.

Stay safe!

Thank you,
The PAVe Team