Tobacco use increases the risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms. Therefore, consumption is advised on an individual level. If today a smoker goes to patios and terraces of bars or restaurants, he should respect the two-meter distance to avoid becoming infected and contagious if he has already acquired the coronavirus infection EFE / Cabalar / Archive

Can cigarette smokers spread COVID-19 to others who don’t smoke outdoors? The Spanish Ministry of Health promotes the prohibition of smoking in the outdoor spaces of bars, restaurants and hotels to prevent the spread of the virus. Thus, the question arises as to how smokers can put non-smokers at risk in times of pandemic.

The experts consulted by Infobae they propose thatdemand more from smokers that they comply with two meters of distance from other people when they consume cigarettes in adjoining spaces to avoid getting and spreading. This measure would be better in countries where the prevalence of smoking is still high.

The US Department of Health and Human Services determined last year that cigarette smoke is the leading cause of chronic lung disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, in addition to causing lung cancer. Mechanically, smoke has been shown to reduce mucosal innate immunity, leading to an increase in the replication of the coronavirus. Also a study published in the journal Cell provided evidence on how smoking cigarettes causes a more serious infection. Most demographic studies of COVID-19 patients have indicated that smokers are at increased risk of severe infection and death.

The risk of using tobacco and getting the coronavirus depends on where you smoke. “If a person removes the chinstrap on a patio or terrace, starts to smoke tobacco, and stays with other people less than two less, it does increase their risk of contracting the coronavirus and of infecting the other, “he said. Another risk is that the person who smokes tobacco may already have alterations in their respiratory tract and this predisposes them to become ill with more serious conditions if they become infected, “he told Infobae the doctor Marita pizarro, co-executive director of the Inter-American Heart Foundation in Argentina (FIC Argentina).

In Latin America, from 1980 to 2015, tobacco use fell from 21.4 percent to 11 percent, while the number of smokers fell from 77.3 million to 69.1 million, according to data for Latin America, according to the World Tobacco Atlas / EFE / ATIENZA / Archive

In Latin America, from 1980 to 2015, tobacco use fell from 21.4 percent to 11 percent, while the number of smokers fell from 77.3 million to 69.1 million, according to data for Latin America, according to the World Tobacco Atlas / EFE / ATIENZA / Archive

“In the outdoor annex spaces of bars, restaurants and hotels, today more attention should be paid to actually comply with the social distancing of two meters between people rather than prohibiting smoking tobacco”, said Dr. Pizarro.

For the FIC Argentina specialist, “the smoking ban measure could be used today only in countries with a low prevalence of smokers. On the other hand, in countries with high tobacco consumption such as Argentina, where 22% of those over 18 years of age consume it, it would not yet be viable. It must be taken into account that there are different levels in the tobacco control policy, which must be developed gradually and with the awareness of the population about the benefits ”.

While, Mario Virgolini, in charge of the tobacco control program of the Argentine Ministry of Health, affirms that “it is known that exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk to non-smokers. Also there is evidence that if a person is infected and exhales, they can spread the coronavirus to others “. The official added: “The distance of two meters between people is important today so as not to be exposed to tobacco smoke or coronavirus in patios and terraces.”

Alejandro Videla, a specialist at the Austral Hospital and a member of the Argentine Association of Respiratory Medicine, considered that “the available scientific evidence should be evaluated to better study a measure such as prohibition. It is true that the smoker when exhaling can spread the coronavirus as well as the smoke particles that can also harm the health of non-smokers. Undoubtedly, respecting the distance of more than two meters – even 10 meters – is key both for the benefit of smokers and non-smokers ”.

This initiative has been promoted since August last year to decree the prohibition of smoking on public roads or outdoors (both cigarettes and any other tobacco inhalation device) REUTERS / Adnan Abidi / Illustration / File Photo

This initiative has been promoted since August last year to decree the prohibition of smoking on public roads or outdoors (both cigarettes and any other tobacco inhalation device) REUTERS / Adnan Abidi / Illustration / File Photo

The proposal of the Ministry of Health of Spain consists of an open working document and subject to technical considerations, which would be sent to the autonomous communities to implement the measure of the prohibition of smoking in outdoor places such as bars and restaurants. The measure is promoted “with the dual objective of acting on smoking as a risk factor for infection and contagion of COVID-19, together with the need to contribute to the control of the evolution of the disease in Spain”.

In its writing, Health highlights that at the moment there are six communities (Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Cantabria, Valencian Community, Asturias and Aragón) that according to the new evidence “have advanced in the measures and thus have prohibited” the consumption of the different products of tobacco in the outdoor terraces, regardless of the maintenance of two meters as an interpersonal safety distance. In addition, Health details that other communities are currently considering the application of this measure, have issued recommendations in this regard, or are in favor of its application.

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