Severity of COVID-19 Disease Among Unvaccinated Users and Non-users of Tobacco Products

Abstract

Background Previous studies have identified several risk factors associated with the severity of COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, studies on the effects of tobacco use on COVID-19 severity have shown contradictory results. This study was aimed at investigating the relationship between COVID-19 and tobacco use. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients previously hospitalized because of COVID-19, none of whom had received any COVID-19 vaccinations. Subjective data, such as medical history of chronic diseases, hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, requirement for mechanical ventilation, and tobacco use history, were gathered through telephone interviews through a pre-designed questionnaire. Results Fifty-eight patients with COVID-19 used tobacco products, whereas 114 patients were non-users (tobacco use prevalence of 34%). The most common methods of tobacco use were smoking cigarettes (69%), smoking shisha (50%), using electronic cigarettes (10%), and chewing tobacco (3%). Although most patients developed COVID-19 symptoms, most of the reported symptoms were more frequent among the non-tobacco users. The associations of tobacco use with COVID-19 symptoms, mean LOS, ICU admission, and the need for mechanical ventilation were not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusions Although no significant association was found between COVID-19 severity and tobacco use, continued comprehensive tobacco cessation strategies remain important to mitigate the overall health consequences associated with tobacco consumption.