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Smoking and COVID

COVID-19 and impact on smokers

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory infection that affects the lungs and airways.
  • Evidence suggests that smoking damages lungs and weakens immune system.
  • Smokers are twice as likely to get pneumonia and five times more likely to get flu then non-smokers.
  • Smoking of any kind, not just cigarettes, but shisha, cannabis or any other substances will also increase health risks such as heart disease, respiratory disease and cancer at a time when the NHS is under strain from COVID-19.
  • Smokers are more likely to have complications if they are unwell and their recovery time will be longer.
  • Exposing members of your household to second-hand smoke can also mean they are less protected against COVID-19 and a great risk to children and those with existing health conditions.

Smoking and COVID-19 risks explained

  • There has never been a better time to quit smoking, to protect you and others and reduce the pressures on NHS.
  • There are many support services available to help you and your loved ones quit. See our section on ‘Where you can get support’ for further details.
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