While smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke, do not cause COVID-19, your risk increases if you are a smoker and suffer another health condition such as cardio-vascular disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory illness, TB and so on.
There are benefits for smokers who are motivated to stop now. “People who smoke are at increased risk of lung infections in general, but the lungs do heal over time when people stop smoking,” says Kalideen from the National Council against Smoking.
There are other health benefits too says Dr Catherine Egbe from the Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit of the South African Medical Research Council, because smokers who stop quit, will begin to experience some physiological changes within hours of quitting, and over time their susceptibility to lung infections like bronchitis and pneumonia also decreases.
Professor Pamela Naidoo, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, adds that non-smokers generally have better “heart and brain health”, and consequently are less vulnerable to becoming infected with the coronavirus. Therefore, it’s in the smoker’s best interest to change their behavior positively to give up smoking in order to reduce their risk of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses and COVID-19 onset.
- The National Council against Smoking runs a telephone counselling Quitline on 011 7203145 and can support smokers who want to give up by sending daily messages for 30 days on Whatsapp to motivate you to stay away from cigarettes and manage the symptoms of withdrawal that may come with quitting.
- CANSA runs an online programme which also provides support and information for smokers who would like to stop smoking. The programme can be accessed on https://www.ekickbutt.org.za/
- The Heart and Stroke Foundation has professional staff that can provide educational support during the challenging time you may face when trying to quit tobacco smoking. During the period of the lockdown you may call 0842507374 for assistance.
When you stop smoking, you might experience some withdrawal symptoms like a dry mouth, coughing, nausea or cravings. Your cravings will go away after a week or two, and our support tools will help you think of ways to overcome your cravings. This is the perfect time to quit. You have the lockdown period to regain your strength, your money and your health.
