Does tobacco use enhance the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection: findings from a need based

research?

Background

Tobacco users tend to have more severe and critical outcomes related to COVID-19 disease, with
angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) being a possible explanation to this association.
However, it is still not known whether tobacco use causes more likelihood of getting infected
with SARS-CoV-2. The World Health Organization and findings from a recent systematic
review and meta-analysis have also cited need to gather evidence in this direction.

Design

The present study is an analytical cross-sectional study carried out among 950 individuals
reported to the Department of Pharmacology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi,
Jharkhand during April-May 2021 for the diagnosis of COVID-19 disease. List of all the persons
with their phone numbers and COVID-19 disease status/result were obtained from the
department and were invited telephonically to participate in the study. Telephonic responses
were obtained to record their tobacco related habits using a brief self structured 10 item closed
ended questionnaire. Severity and symptoms related to COVID-19 disease were also recorded
from the confirmed positive cases. Data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS
software.
Results:
A total of 521 responses were obtained. The mean age of participants was 40.43±17.42. Two
hundred and fifty six participants were confirmed positive cases and 57 were tobacco users. Risk
of smokers getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 was higher in the tobacco users than the non
tobacco users; OR=1.78 (1.01-3.13).

Conclusion

Risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection appears to be higher amongst the tobacco users. Findings
elucidate the role of tobacco as risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection. However more studies are
required to substantiate this effect.