Smoking, Alcohol Intake And Covid-19

Introduction a proportion of the global population consumes alcohol and/or smoke tobacco. Questions have been raised about the effect of alcohol consumption and smoking on COVID-19 and its effect on the immune responses of those receiving the COVID-19 vaccines.

- Prof. Suranjith L Seneviratne and Prof. Saman Gunatilake

One must remember that global guidance on such topics has evolved as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed and the vaccine roll-out started. This article would outline the reported effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on COVID-19 risk, illness features, and severity, and if specific precautions are to be considered with respect to a person receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

SMOKING AND COVID-19

With each breath, a person’s respiratory system (including his or her lungs) interacts with the environment. It serves as an outlook post for an individual’s immune system and needs to be operating at optimal levels, so as to protect the person from harmful agents (or danger signals) in the air we breathe. Inhalation of cigarette smoke, allergens or micro-organisms (for example bacteria or viruses) may irritate a person’s airways and lungs, which in turn would cause immune activation. If unchecked, this may lead to a state of continuous inflammation within the person’s respiratory system. Infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus may further worsen this inflammatory state. An often asked question is if a history of smoking (or vaping) increases the likelihood of getting a SARS-CoV-2 infection or a more severe disease.

1. Prior studies have found cigarette smoking to be a significant risk factor for bacterial and viral infections. For instance, it is associated with an increased risk of influenza, tuberculosis and invasive pneumococcal disease. Smoking reduces the first line natural immune defenses of the airways and lungs and induces adverse structural changes within the respiratory tract. This predisposes a person to dysregulated immune and inflammatory responses against viruses and bacteria. Smokers may also take longer to clear an infection when compared to non-smoker.