COVID-19 is a respiratory infection which can cause life threatening damage to the heart and lungs. A small percentage of those contracting COVID-19 suffer serious symptoms or die, but the risks of COVID-19 rise with age, and for those with underlying medical conditions, many of which are caused, or made worse, by smoking.

The evidence is clear that:

• Smoking remains the leading cause of premature death, killing nearly 80,000 people a year in England.
• For every person who dies from smoking, at least 30 people live with a serious smoking-related illness such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
• Current smokers are also 30% more likely to be admitted to hospital.

This is significant health information, which smokers have a right to know, and they need to be supported to take steps to quit or abstain from smoking. See our FAQs for more information on COVID-19 and smoking.

Public Health England guidance states that: “On the available evidence, we advise:

• if you smoke, you generally have an increased risk of contracting respiratory infection and of more severe symptoms once infected. COVID-19 symptoms may, therefore, be more severe if you smoke.
• stopping smoking will bring immediate benefits to your health, including if you have an existing smoking-related disease. This is particularly important for both you and for our NHS at a time of intense pressure on the health service.”