Evidence has already emerged from those countries hardest hit with the virus. Studies from China show that the odds of progression toward serious illness were 14 times higher among people with a history of smoking compared to those who did not smoke and experience worse outcomes as compared to non-smokers. In a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, smokers were 2.4 times more likely to have severe symptoms from COVID-19 compared to those who did not smoke. It suggests that tobacco use is associated with a poor evolution/poor prognosis of COVID-19 and more serious results, including admission to intensive care units, use of mechanical ventilation, and death. To make matters worse, tobacco smoking is a leading common risk factor for major NCDs which account for over 70% of untimely deaths globally. World Health Organization (WHO) reports that people with NCDs are more likely to suffer severe COVID-19 with serious outcomes, including death.Shockingly, the tobacco industry is spreading misinformation—through blog posts and social media - and denying the link between smoking and COVID-19. The industry is capitalising on the crisis to improve its public relations by offering donations and partnerships. At the same time, tobacco companies continue to aggressively market their products which-in addition to causing eight million deaths each year globally.
Panel of experts
On behalf of APCAT co-chairs; we are pleased to share that APCAT will be holding a webinar on the theme of “Government accountability in responding to COVID-19, NCDs and tobacco use”. We invite you all to join this Webinar.
Tuesday, May 12
3pm Jakarta
3pm Jakarta
Panel of experts
- Khagraj Adhikari, Member of Parliament, Nepal; former Health Minister; and Chair of APCAT Parliamentarians
- Shameem Haider Patwary, Member of Parliament, Bangladesh
- Bima Arya Sugiarto, Mayor, Bogor City, Indonesia and Co-chair of APCAT
- Jose Martinho Dos Santos Soares, Mayor, Ermera, Timor-Leste
- Han Kosal, Deputy Governor, Kampong Cham, Cambodia
- Menno van Hilten, World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Tara Singh Bam, The Union Asia Pacific
- Moderator: Shobha Shukla, CNS & APCAT Media
