Another way to protect yourself – quit smoking and vaping.
Whether you used to or currently smoke, your risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases.
Public Health Agencies like the FDA and CDC agree: quitting smoking and/or vaping offers added protection from COVID-19.
Why?
COVID-19 is an illness that impacts the respiratory system (nose, throat, lungs). Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, and cough.
Smoking damages your lungs, which can increase the risk of infection and severity of respiratory illnesses. Smoking may also lead to a weakened immune system, which may make it easier to become sick or complicate and extend recovery time.
There is also serious concern for those who vape because the lungs may be exposed to damaging aerosols and toxic chemicals.
What can I do?
Try to quit smoking or vaping. When you quit, you can help your lungs be as healthy as possible to fight the COVID-19 virus.
Follow CDC guidelines to prevent COVID-19:
- Clean your hands often
- Avoid close contact
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect
