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2.2 million people may be smoking more than usual during the coronavirus crisis despite the serious harm it causes to respiratory and immune systems. A further 4.8 million are estimated to be smoking the same amount as before the pandemic, while 1.9 million are believed to have cut down, according to estimates calculated from a representative study of about 2,000 people over 30 April to 13 May in YouGov’s COVID-19 tracker.
Anxiety and lockdown boredom due to COVID-19 have been mentioned as reasons for the increased frequency of smoking.
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has accused the government of taking an unreasonably long time to decide the release of £350,000 in funding it was asked to apply for by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) for a “quit smoking for coronavirus” campaign, while a unique “window of opportunity” to encourage smokers amidst the pandemic closes.
“Quit for COVID” is being run on a shoestring, and without adequate funding can only have a limited impact,” said Deborah Arnott, the chief executive of ASH.
“The Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England are supportive and even asked us to apply for funding from the government’s charity scheme when it opened in April. We were told there would be a decision within a week, so the project could start in May and run till October.
“Since then there has been radio silence and we understand the decision now rests with No 10. There is a window of opportunity to provide the support and encouragement smokers need to Quit for COVID, but it is closing fast” Arnott added.
Noel Baxter, a GP, and a medical adviser to the British Lung Foundation, said: “Quitting smoking now is one of the best ways to protect yourself from viral infections, including coronavirus. People who smoke are five times more likely to get flu and twice as likely to get pneumonia. For those who smoke, there are plenty of alternatives, including patches, gum, and sprays.”
Source: The Guardian, 20 May 2020
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A number of studies suggesting smokers are less likely to catch coronavirus have led to headlines saying that smokers are “protected” against covid-19 – but this probably isn’t the case. Smokers are affected more severely by colds and flu, and years of smoking can lead to a type of lung failure known as emphysema, which is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
However, initial data emerging from China and Italy appeared to show that the proportion of smokers among those being hospitalised for COVID-19 was lower than in the general population. But many of these reports also suggest that smoking is more common among people who get sickest and die from COVID-19.
Questions have also been raised about the accuracy of the initial reports. Some people recorded as non-smokers may have recently stopped smoking due to the pandemic, says Dr Nick Hopkinson, Medical Director at British Lung Foundation and Chair of ASH. There has been speculation that in places like Italy where there were not always enough intensive care beds to go round, some may have lied about smoking, he says.
Perhaps the biggest concern is that it is not valid to compare smoking rates among coronavirus patients with the general population, says Eleanor Murray at Boston University. Most people who have severe enough COVID-19 infections to end up in hospital are older, and older people have lower smoking rates.
Dr Hopkinson is currently using a self-reported app downloaded by 1.5 million people in the UK to track their cases. His findings are not yet published but suggest that smokers are about 25% more likely to develop COVID-19 symptoms.
A recent study looked at the health records of 17 million people in England to establish risk factors linked with dying from COVID-19 among NHS patients. The results for smoking change depending on which other risk factors are included. But the most logical analysis according to Dr Hopkinson, adjusting for age and sex only, finds smokers at a somewhat higher risk of dying from COVID-19.
“The claim that smoking is protective is interesting and perplexing, but it does not stand up to scrutiny,” Dr Hopkinson says.
Source: New Scientist, 19 May 2020
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Campaigners say the ban on menthol cigarettes could help tackle youth smoking rates in Wales, where according to new figures over 6,000 children take up the habit every year. The law, which came into force yesterday (20 May), will see the sale of menthol flavoured cigarettes and tobacco products banned under the EU Tobacco Products Directive.
It has been welcomed by several Welsh charities (ASH Wales, Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation Wales) who say menthol acts as a gateway to tobacco addiction, because the flavour appeals to young, inexperienced smokers, and reduces the “ harshness” of cigarette smoke. Research by the UK Government has shown that menthol cigarette use is significantly more common among younger smokers.
According to figures compiled by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and Imperial College, London, about 6,461 children take up smoking every year in Wales, with the highest numbers in Cardiff where 707 children are estimated to start smoking each year.
Last year, a survey of over 100,000 students, carried out by researchers at Cardiff University, found that in Wales 9% of 15-16-year-olds smoke at least once a week, a figure that despite concerted efforts, has remained unchanged since 2013/14.
Suzanne Cass, CEO of ASH Wales, said: “We wholeheartedly support any tobacco control measures that address youth smoking rates and encourage smokers to quit.
“The long-term effects of tobacco smoking on people’s health are devastating – and have been highlighted by the increased risks smokers face from the Covid-19 outbreak due to the damage caused to their lungs”.
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma UK & British Lung Foundation Wales, said: “Smoking remains the single largest cause of preventable ill health and a significant cause of health inequality in Wales, tobacco dependency is directly or indirectly linked to millions of deaths.
“Menthol Cigarettes are often seen as the ‘gateway’ to smoking, due to both their flavour and their less harsh smoke. It is so much harder to quit if you start smoking from an early age, banning them is a positive step in our efforts to curb youth smoking and protect young peoples’ lungs.”
Source: Wales 247.co.uk, 20 May 2020
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Opinion: “…like just about every other disease, you can reduce your risk of death at any age by being as healthy as you can. 95% of those dying from COVID-19 in the hospital have underlying health conditions…Given that 80% of chronic diseases that kill us prematurely can also be prevented by a healthy lifestyle, and many pose a much greater risk than COVID-19, the government had a golden opportunity to improve public health while it had the nations full attention… Instead it became absorbed in a single health risk. Imprisoning children in the passive smoke of their relatives, eating sugary shite, not moving from their screens…Eight weeks of healthy lockdown and vitamin D supplements could have made the nation fit for the virus, and for life.”
Source: Private Eye [Print version], 22 May issue.
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PQ1: Smoking
Asked by Conor McGinn (St Helens North)
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the evidential basis is for banning the sale and production of menthol cigarettes in the UK.
Answered by Jo Churchill, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Source: Hansard, 20 May 2020
https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2020-05-15/47341/
PQ2: Smoking – hospitality industry
Asked by Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin)
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps with the hospitality industry to prohibit smoking outside restaurants and food outlets.
Answered by Jo Churchill the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care
The Health Act 2006 and the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006 made it illegal to smoke in public enclosed or substantially enclosed areas and workplaces. Should a business in the hospitality industry wish to introduce their own non-smoking policy for outside space which is not captured under the Health Act 2006 and the Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006, they are able to do so.
Source: Hansard, 20 May 2020
PQ3: Health services
Asked by Neil Coyle (Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has to recommence (a) drug and (b) alcohol cessation support services once covid-19 lockdown restrictions have ended.
Answered by Jo Churchill the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care
Stop smoking services are continuing to be provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, as outlined in the ‘COVID-19 Prioritisation within Community Health Services’ document available at the following link:
Providers of community smoking cessation services have been asked to continue to deliver services, while considering how these services can best support smokers during the pandemic. Any changes to services which are impacted by COVID-19 and how this should be addressed will be an issue for local commissioners, working with providers, taking account of national guidance.
Source: Hansard, 20 May 2020
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.
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