Publication date: 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic is posing a major challenge to global public health and has had a devastating impact on health systems as countries are forced to divert valuable resources to address this one health emergency. Advancing tobacco control during the COVID-19 pandemic urges countries not to relax tobacco control efforts as they grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic as evidence continues to mount that smoking and tobacco-related noncommunicable diseases confer a higher risk for worse outcomes with COVID-19. The experience of some countries in showing that an unprecedented number of smokers have quit during the pandemic presents an opportune moment to push forward the tobacco control agenda to mitigate the adverse health impacts of COVID-19 and sustain implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and MPOWER strategies.
Country activities on tobacco control during COVID-19
Publication date: 2020
Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region ramped up tobacco control-related health awareness activities in response to the global pandemic of COVID-19. Countries introduced decisions such as a ban on waterpipe use in public places to curb the spread of the virus. They created awareness amongst the public on the links between tobacco use and COVID-19 and aimed to encourage smokers to quit as an important precautionary measure. Through the following account from countries in the Region, we aim to highlight the key activities implemented. We look at the challenges countries faced, and how they have adapted their activities in this critical time. We touch upon future plans for various tobacco control activities—building on what has been successfully achieved—that will be undertaken when countries resume normal activities post COVID-19.
The necessity of continuing to ban tobacco use in public places post-COVID-19
Publication date: 2020
This commentary published in the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal addresses the importance of maintaining the ban on tobacco use in public places even beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. It emphasizes how the successful ban of tobacco use in public places under COVID-19 shows how this essential tobacco control measure can be realistically maintained as a permanent policy even post-COVID-19. The commentary aims to encourage countries to take advantage of the current COVID-19 situation to pursue these policy recommendations.
COVID-19 and beyond: banning tobacco and e-cigarettes in public places is a public health must
Publication date: 2020
Following the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, 15 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region banned waterpipe use temporarily in public places, in addition to the two countries that had already banned it previously. Waterpipe use was identified as a possible means for the spread of COVID-19. This document, developed by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, focuses on the importance of maintaining this ban on tobacco and waterpipe use, and e-cigarettes, as countries move towards less strict measures to control the spread of COVID-19.
Tobacco and waterpipe use increases the risk of COVID-19
Publication date: 2020
This Q&A, developed by the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, is based on, and benefitted from, the most recent evidence on COVID-19 and tobacco use. Although evidence is still accumulating on the links between COVID-19 and tobacco, waterpipe and e-products use, current research suggests a possible association between smoking and increasing severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness in this area. As more research data become available, the Q&A will be updated accordingly.
Q&A: tobacco and COVID-19
Publication date: 2020
This Q&A on tobacco and COVID-19, developed by WHO headquarters, provides answers to some key questions related to the use of tobacco and nicotine products during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Q&A aims to make it clear what the current evidence indicates with respect to COVID-19 infection and severity, as well as where there are limitations in the availability of evidence. It includes key recommendations for protecting people from the risks associated with tobacco use including smoking and vaping.
Smoking and COVID-19: scientific brief
Publication date: 2020
This scientific brief on smoking and COVID-19, developed by WHO headquarters, reviews the peer-reviewed literature on the association between smoking and COVID-19. The review found no studies on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among smokers and limited research on the risk of hospitalization with COVID-19 among smokers. On risk of severe COVID-19 and death amongst smokers, the review presents the results of several meta-analyses that found an increased risk of severe disease among those that smoke, as well as several individual observational studies.
WHO statement: tobacco use and COVID-19
Publication date: 2020
This statement, developed by WHO headquarters, outlines why tobacco use makes it more likely that smokers develop severe COVID-19 disease. Tobacco use impairs lung function, making it harder for the body to fight off infections, and is a risk factor for the key noncommunicable diseases that increase the risk of severe COVID-19 illness. The statement stresses the importance of avoiding unproven claims about the link between tobacco and/or nicotine and COVID-19. Smokers are recommended to immediately take evidence-based steps to quit tobacco use.
COVID-19: tobacco use and vaping
Publication date: 2020
This infographic, developed by the WHO Regional Office for South East Asia, warns about the dangers of tobacco use and vaping, especially at the time of this COVID-19 outbreak. The infographic explains how the practices around different types of tobacco use (including smoking, vaping and smokeless) can make you more vulnerable to COVID-19 and also increase the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It aims to encourage people to quit any form of tobacco use both for the individual and public benefit, especially considering its risks in light of the current COVID-19 outbreak.
Resources for tobacco use control as part of COVID-19 response
Publication date: 2020
This is a list of eleven WHO resources that provide detailed information about the importance of tobacco control during the COVID-19 outbreak. These resources, developed by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, include a WHO statement, scientific brief and numerous infographics outlining the link between tobacco use and COVID-19. These resources aim to provide evidence-based information on tobacco use and COVID-19 in order to generate an effective response and continue tobacco control efforts during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing NCD risk factors in the context of COVID-19
Publication date: 2020
This publication, developed by the WHO Regional Office for Africa, provides guidelines on ways to manage noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors under the circumstances of COVID-19. Along with harmful alcohol use, unhealthy diets and insufficient physical activity, this publication addresses issues around tobacco use at the time of COVID-19, and how to effectively mitigate these risk factors at this time.
Tobacco control during the COVID-19 pandemic: how we can help
Publication date: 2020
This statement by the Head of the Convention Secretariat addresses the situation around tobacco control during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement touches on the importance of continued tobacco control efforts through MPOWER measures, despite the limiting COVID-19 circumstances. It also calls out the tobacco industry for exploiting the COVID-19 outbreak for its commercial benefit, namely through deceiving corporate social responsibility activities.
Increased risk of COVID-19 infection amongst smokers and amongst waterpipe users
Publication date: 2020
This article by the WHO FCTC knowledge hub for waterpipe tobacco smoking in Beirut explains how smoking leads to increased risk of COVID-19 infection. The article describes the link between smoking and increased risk of bacterial and viral infections, and how waterpipe use is a significant conduit for infection transmission. Given the evidence-based relationship between smoking and increased vulnerability to COVID-19, the article provides recommendations on managing this risk.
World No Tobacco Day 2020 and COVID-19: social media tiles
Publication date: 2020
This collection of World No Tobacco Day 2020 social media tiles, developed by the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, depicts the risks of tobacco use during the time of COVID-19. These social media tiles include messages on the link between tobacco use and increased vulnerability to COVID-19, along with warnings on how the tobacco industry is exploiting the COVID-19 outbreak for its commercial benefit. These tiles are suitable for all social media properties, particularly Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.