Abstract
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, tobacco research has delivered new evidence on the harmfulness of smoking in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the course of the COVID-19 disease. More and more research proves that smoking is an important risk factor contributing to increased risk of mortality among COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted decisions about quitting smoking. A total of 4072 records of anonymized data were obtained from the Polish National Quitline. Between 15 April 2020 and 31 May 2021, the callers were asked about the COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on their decisions on smoking continuation or cessation. Our results indicate that smokers are very receptive to communication concerning COVID-19 and smoking risk. This phenomenon can possibly be connected to the immediate potential health consequences of smoking and COVID-19 virus infection. Results may indicate that putting emphasis on arguments combined with short-term health consequences of smoking may result in better outcomes in smoking cessation. There is a need for further and constant education on tobacco-related health harm. Our results showed that an irregular and mass communication on health consequences may result in high effectiveness in smoking cessation.
Highlights
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, tobacco research has delivered new evidence on the harmfulness of smoking in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the course of the COVID19 disease
In addition to the standard questions, those who called between 15 April 2020 and 31 May 2021 were asked about the COVID-19 pandemic and its influence on their decisions on smoking continuation or cessation
One of the recommendations could be to supplement warnings on tobacco products with information about health risks related to smoking and COVID-19
Summary
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, tobacco research has delivered new evidence on the harmfulness of smoking in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the course of the COVID19 disease. Our results indicate that smokers are very receptive to communication concerning COVID-19 and smoking risk This phenomenon can possibly be connected to the immediate potential health consequences of smoking and COVID-19 virus infection. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, about 8 million people die annually because of tobacco-related diseases. The annual economic cost of consuming tobacco products worldwide is estimated at around 2 billion USD (estimates based on 2016 data) Most of these costs are related to loss of productivity due to illness or death, as well as treatment of tobacco-related diseases. DALY (Disability Adjusted Life-Years) indicator among European countries This indicator provides information on the number of years of life lost as a result of bodily injury or premature death—in this case—caused by tobacco use [3]. Others include bladder cancer; cancer of the kidneys; liver; pancreas; stomach; colon and rectum; cervix; acute myeloid leukemia; cardiovascular diseases; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); strokes; blindness; osteoporosis; decreased fertility; fetal malformations, prematurity, and miscarriages; among many others [6,7]
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