There is an overwhelming amount of evidence linking smoking to adverse health outcomes such as cancers, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease. All of these place stress on the body making it more difficult to fight infections such as the novel respiratory virus, SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. Furthermore, even if your smoking has not contributed to a chronic medical condition you are still more susceptible to infections and to experience more severe infections. Coronavirus has a higher mortality rate for men than women in China. Researchers suspect this could be partially due to the fact that a higher ratio of Chinese men to women smoke.
Smoking temporarily paralyzes and can kill cilia, brush-like hairs on the cells lining the airway. The cilia are normally responsible to waft away mucus and dirt away from your lungs. Without them, smokers are more susceptible to respiratory infections. Furthermore, the toxins in smoke cause inflammatory responses, damage and kill lung cells. This damage makes it easier for infections to progress throughout the lung and cause further symptoms such as pneumonia and shortness of breath. The inflammation caused by smoke inhalation also causes persistent coughs and increased mucus, exacerbating problems. Smoking also causes alterations in cells such as immune cells which may affect the immune response to viruses. Some of these immune changes are related to how much you smoke, but some are also reversible should you wish to stop.
There are many simple steps that you can take to stop COVID-19 spreading.
Remember to refer to guidelines, as the situation is developing. You can find more information from the WHO or the CDC.
Smoking is hazardous to your health, not only with regards to COVID-19, but also through the risk of developing chronic health conditions that make you less resilient to infections in general. It is never too late to stop smoking. In addition, be vigilant of how you interact with your environment and keep clean for example by often washing hands to avoid the spread of disease.