World No Tobacco Day 2020: This is what tobacco use does to your oral health

COVID-19 has already spread to 188 countries and is still wreaking havoc across the globe. Along with all other systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, some doctors have also advised smokers to stay indoors. It is well known that smoking tobacco can lead to various diseases of the respiratory system, including lung cancer. The World Health Organization has stated that smokers could be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as well as to severe symptoms if they contract the infection.

Every year, 31st May is observed as World No Tobacco Day. This year, like every other,  doctors urge tobacco smokers to quit this harmful habit - but the emphasis now is even higher given that it could cause severe symptoms of COVID-19 in some people. Inversely, you may have recently come across news articles that claim smoking could potentially provide some protection against COVID-19. Here is some clarity on the connection between smoking and COVID-19.

According to a Chinese study published in February 2020, out of 1,099 patients who were infected with COVID-19 and were admitted into the ICU, 25.5% were smokers. The doctors and scientists believe that smokers were getting severe respiratory symptoms due to the absence of cilia in their airway.