Japanese scientists estimate an increase in the risk of severe COVID in smokers

Those who smoked for a long time, the risk of a severe course of coronavirus infection is almost doubled, NHK reported, citing the National Research Center for International Health of Japan.

Scientists analyzed the relationship between smoking and the risk of serious illness in 17.6 thousand patients aged 20 to 80 years who were hospitalized with COVID-19 until February last year. The study found that smokers were 1.51 times more likely to need a ventilator in men and 1.94 times more likely in women than non-smokers.

Smokers are more likely to suffer from heart and respiratory diseases and cancer, while those who used to smoke are more likely to develop chronic diseases and the risk of becoming seriously ill is likely to increase, according to the study.

The researchers note that for those who currently smoke, the risk of exacerbation was not statistically significantly different, but may increase in the future.