No doubt about the relation between smoking and COVID-19 severity
Gallus S, Lugo A, Gorini G. No double-edged sword and no doubt about the relation between smoking and COVID-19 severity. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 77 (2020): 33-35.
Authors of this commentary consider research by Lippi and Henry which stated, “Active smoking is not associated with severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)”. This statement was based on an early meta-analysis of 5 Chinese studies. Reviewing the Lippi and Henry study, Gallus et al. point out many flaws in the study and note that 17 subsequent studies in meta-analyses have shown a very clear link to smoking and COVID-19 severity. They note that these subsequent findings give unequivocal clarity to the contribution of smoking to COVID-19 severity.
Authors warn that the flawed study by Lippi and Henry have given, “… the tobacco industry and its advocates a chance to raise doubts about the evidence that smoking worsens COVID-19 progression and prognosis.”
https://www.ejinme.com/article/S0953-6205(20)30252-1/pdf
Stephen Hamann
