» World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO Statement: tobacco use and COVID-19

This statement outlines WHO's position on the link between tobacco use and COVID-19 and the importance of high-quality research in this area. It urges smokers to take immediate steps to quit using proven methods.

Q&A on coronavirus disease (COVID-19): tobacco

This WHO Q&A provides answers to some key questions regarding the link between tobacco and nicotine use and COVID-19, as well as outlines WHO's recommendations for tobacco users.

» WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC)

Tobacco control during the COVID-19 pandemic: how we can help

This statement by the Head of the Convention Secretariat emphasizes the need for increased global coordination to intensify tobacco control efforts, especially against the tobacco industry, in the time of COVID-19.

» World Health Organization (WHO)

Scientific brief: smoking and COVID-19

This WHO scientific brief assesses the available peer-reviewed literature (as of 12 May 2020) on the association between smoking and COVID-19, including risk of infection, hospitalization with COVID-19 and COVID-19 severity.

» WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO)

Q&A on tobacco, waterpipe and e-cigarette use in the context of COVID-19

This Q&A from WHO EMRO answers some important questions regarding the potential relationship between tobacco, waterpipe and e-cigarette use and COVID-19 infection and severity. It also provides information about both national level tobacco control measures and quitting tobacco use.

» The Union

Scientific brief on smoking and COVID-19

The Union has produced a regularly updated scientific brief analysing the current science and related controversies regarding COVID-19 and smoking. The brief delineates three key stages along the COVID-19 disease spectrum and explains where the evidence stands regarding the effect of smoking at each stage.

» STOP

Overview of controversial French studies on link between smoking and COVID-19

This brief from STOP outlines some key problems with the controversial French studies on the link between smoking and COVID-19 (a more detailed analysis of one study can be found here).

» The Tobacco Atlas

What do we know about tobacco use and COVID-19?

This Q&A from The Tobacco Atlas answers some key questions regarding the effect of smoking, e-cigarette use and second-hand smoke exposure on COVID-19 outcomes, as well as about quitting smoking.

» WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Waterpipes

What do we know about COVID-19?

This infographic produced by the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Waterpipes shows how waterpipe smoking can quickly spread the COVID-19 virus and advises the cessation of waterpipe smoking both in public and private spaces.

Increased risk of COVID-19 infection amongst smokers and amongst waterpipe users

This article by the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Waterpipes explains how waterpipe smoking can increase people's vulnerability to the COVID-19 virus by weakening their health and by promoting transmission.

» Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

Smoking, vaping and COVID-19: what are health organizations and experts saying?

This is a collection of statements by various influential international organizations and experts regarding the relationship between smoking and vaping and COVID-19.

» Truth Initiative

Vaping multiplies risk of COVID-19 in teens and young adults

This article by the Truth Initiative summarized growing evidence that vaping puts even young adults at a significantly higher risk for contracting COVID-19.

» STOP

The role of the WHO FCTC in COVID-19 responses

This policy brief from STOP outlines why implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides key recommendations for incorporating the WHO FCTC into the COVID-19 response.

Press release: as costs pile up for COVID-19, tobacco companies should be held accountable for smoking-related health harms

This press release from STOP explains why countries should take specific measures to hold tobacco companies accountable for the harms caused by tobacco use, which have undoubtedly made the COVID-19 pandemic worse.

» The Union

Financing public health preparedness for pandemics

This brief from The Union explains why, given the burden of tobacco use on public health, health systems and economies, countries should incorporate higher taxes on tobacco into public health preparedness and response efforts.

» Vital Strategies

Smoking and COVID-19

This policy brief from Vital Strategies outlines some of the key evidence regarding the link between smoking and COVID-19 and provides concise evidence, and recommendations for governments and people who smoke. 

» The Tobacco Atlas

Cigarette tax increases are a logical first step in raising revenue for COVID-19 recovery

This article from The Tobacco Atlas explains how raising taxes on tobacco should be a key first step in raising revenue for the COVID-19 recovery. It draws on the recent Cigarette Tax Scorecard by the Tobacconomics teams in the University of Illinois Chicago.

» WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO)

COVID-19 and beyond: banning tobacco and e-cigarettes in public places is a public health must

This article produced by the Tobacco Free Initiative at WHO EMRO outlines the importance and logistics of banning tobacco in public places both during COVID-19 and beyond.

Advancing tobacco control during the COVID-19 pandemic: MPOWER implementation

In light of the link between COVID-19 and tobacco use and tobacco industry interference, this detailed policy brief recommends key tobacco control measures that countries should take during the COVID-19 pandemic.

» Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal (EMHJ)

The necessity of continuing to ban tobacco use in public places post-COVID-19

This commentary in the EMHJ explains the importance of continuing intensified tobacco control policies post-COVID-19.

» Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

How the tobacco industry is exploiting the COVID-19 crisis

This page from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids outlines the ways in which tobacco companies have been exploiting the pandemic to market their products, including through COVID-19-related tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

» Cochrane

Cochrane Special Collections: coronavirus (COVID-19): effective options for quitting smoking during the pandemic

Identifying the particular need for smokers to quit during the current pandemic, this Cochrane Special Collection on quitting smoking during the COVID-19 pandemic brings together Cochrane reviews on medication, behavioural support and gradual quitting approaches.

» WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO WPRO)

COVID-19 must not derail tobacco cessation efforts

This press release from WHO WPRO identifies the urgent need for investment in access to cessation services during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow the majority of smokers who want to stop smoking to quit successfully.

» Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

COVID-19: quit smoking and vaping to protect your lungs

This article by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids promotes tobacco cessation, especially during COVID-19, both on an individual level and through public health interventions.

» Truth Initiative

COVID-19: the connection to smoking and vaping, and resources for quitting

This article by the Truth Initiative outlines evidence showing the connection between smoking and vaping and COVID-19 and provides resources to help quit tobacco.

How to quit vaping – or help someone quit – during the coronavirus pandemic

This article by the Truth Initiative provides resources to help people quit smoking and vaping, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

» WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Waterpipes

Smoking and smoking cessation during COVID-19: facts/key observations by Dr Maya Romani

This webinar organized by the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Waterpipes provides detailed observations and recommendations for tobacco cessation during the time of COVID-19.

» Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control

Pushback: statements and actions to counter tobacco industry tactics

The Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control has compiled a collection of statements by various international organizations and individuals pushing for intensified tobacco control efforts during COVID-19.

COVID-19 and tobacco industry interference

This policy brief from the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control discusses the issue of tobacco industry interference in policy-making and outlines some key recommendations for governments.

Illicit trade in tobacco during COVID-19

The Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control compiled this collection of news articles on illicit trade in tobacco during the COVID-19 pandemic. In most cases, the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control finds the authors or persons/organizations cited have links to the tobacco industry.

Bans/contemplated bans on tobacco/vaping products

The Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control compiled this list of bans or contemplated bans on tobacco and vaping products in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in various countries around the world.

Tobacco industry's COVID donations vs. economic cost of tobacco

The Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control compiled this list of donations and other Corporate Social Responsibility activities by the tobacco industry, which is an effort to polish its image during the COVID-19 pandemic and undermine its leading role in the tobacco epidemic.

Misleading information about smoking/vaping links to COVID-19

This is a collection of articles compiled by the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control that provide misleading information regarding the relationship between smoking and COVID-19, many of which have ties to the tobacco industry.

Tobacco industry accountability and liability as a COVID-19 response

This webinar organized by the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control features a group of experts discussing how governments can use treaty-based tools to recover losses caused by tobacco, and how to use the proceeds to fund COVID-19 responses.

Countering tobacco industry interference in time of COVID-19 (2020)

This webinar organized by the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control features a group of experts discussing how governments can strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to tackle tobacco industry interference during COVID-19.

» University of Bath

Tobacco Tactics: COVID-19

This page from Tobacco Tactics summarizes the key ways in which the tobacco industry has been seeking to undermine public health and tobacco control policy-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also contains links to all editions of the STOP COVID-19 Monitoring Brief.

» STOP

Tobacco industry accountability and liability in the time of COVID-19

This issue brief from STOP explains why countries should take action during the COVID-19 pandemic to hold the tobacco industry accountable for the wide-ranging harms caused by tobacco use. It provides concrete recommendations that are based on the relevant articles of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC).

COVID-19: dos and don'ts for governments and the tobacco industry

This document from STOP outlines recommendations for governments and the tobacco industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trading "philanthropy" for favors: tobacco industry CSR during COVID-19

This post from STOP explains the dangers of the tobacco industry's so-called Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

» Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)

Statement: the coronavirus catch-22 for the tobacco industry

This statement from ASH focuses on the tobacco industry's efforts to be recognized as an 'essential industry' during COVID-19-related lockdowns. It call for governments to recognize that this is anything but the case.

» Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)

COVID-19 and tobacco policy and communciations toolkit

This toolkit from ASH provides talking points, policy recommendations and communication templates to support advocates in their communication with governments and the media about the link between COVID-19 and tobacco use.

» WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia (WHO SEARO)

COVID-19: tobacco Use and vaping

This flyer from WHO SEARO outlines the dangers of using tobacco or nicotine products during the COVID-19 pandemic, including e-cigarettes, waterpipe and smokeless tobacco.

» Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)

COVID is no joke, it gets worse with smoke

This press release from the WHO Office for the Americas in advance of World No Tobacco Day 2020 highlights the hugely detrimental impact of tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

» WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO EURO)

Infographics on tobacco and COVID-19

WHO EURO produced three useful infographic factsheets that outline the link between tobacco use and COVID-19. The final sheet provides concrete policy recommendations for tobacco control during the pandemic.

» WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO)

Message of WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti on World No Tobacco Day 2020

This message from the WHO Regional Director for Africa links WHO's global World No Tobacco Day 2020 campaign about protecting youth from tobacco industry manipulation with the association between smoking and more severe COVID-19 outcomes.

» WHO

Social media tiles on tobacco use and COVID-19

This collection of World No Tobacco Day 2020 social media materials features a selection of social media tiles that address the danger of tobacco use during COVID-19.

» WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO)

Why should you quit and stay off tobacco and vaping during COVID-19 and always?

This short video produced by WHO EMRO illustrates how tobacco use and vaping increase the chance of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms, and encourages people to quit and stay off tobacco during and beyond COVID-19.

Animated GIF: don’t vape during COVID-19 and always

This animated GIF can be shared on social media platforms to warn on the dangers of vaping, especially during COVID-19.

Animated GIF: give up HTPs during COVID-19 and always

This animated GIF can be shared on social media platforms to warn on the dangers of heated tobacco products (HTPs), especially during COVID-19.

» BMJ

COVID-19 and smoking: resources, research and news

This list collects resources related to COVID-19 and tobacco control from the BMJ, Tobacco Control Jornal, WHO, other public health organizations, research groups and media outlets.

» Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)

Coronavirus update

This database from ASH collects various resources (including academic articles, communication material and webinars) on the link between smoking and COVID-19, ways to quit tobacco while at home and the importance of not allowing the tobacco industry to be recognized as essential during lockdowns.

» WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Waterpipes

Smoking and smoking cessation during COVID-19: facts/key observations by Dr Maya Romani

This webinar organized by the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Waterpipes provides detailed observations and recommendations for tobacco cessation during the time of COVID-19.

» Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control

Tobacco industry accountability and liability as a COVID-19 response

This webinar organized by the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control features a group of experts discussing how governments can use treaty-based tools to recover losses caused by tobacco, and how to use the proceeds to fund COVID-19 responses.

Countering tobacco industry interference in time of COVID-19 (2020)

This webinar organized by the Global Centre for Good Governance in Tobacco Control features a group of experts discussing how governments can strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to tackle tobacco industry interference during COVID-19.