Electronic-Cigarette (Vapors) Smoking and the Risk of COVID-۱۹

In December ۲۰۱۹, four cases of unexplained pneumonia were accounted to the World HealthOrganization from Wuhan, China. Electronic nicotine delivery systems, of which electroniccigarettes are a common type, are devices that heat a liquid to create an aerosol that is inhaled bythe user. Electronic cigarettes, one of the most common electronic nicotine delivery systems, aredevices that heat the liquid and create an aerosol that is inhaled by the user. This liquid containsnicotine (but not tobacco) and other chemicals that may be toxic to human health. Given theCOVID-۱۹ pandemic and its morbidity and mortality worldwide, this article"s obvious question is:Is e-cigarette use a critical risk factor for COVID-۱۹ infection? The results of a study by Gaihashowed that e-cigarette smokers were ۳.۳ times, e-cigarettes and cigarettes smokers were ۳.۶times, and cigarette smokers were ۳.۹ times more likely to come for a COVID-۱۹ diagnostic test.McAlinden et al. showed exposure to cigarette gas condensate and e-cigarettes are toxic tobronchial epithelial cells. Cell membrane damage led by the e-cigarette aerosol condensate andcigarette smoke extract are detectable after ۲۴ hours of exposure. Significant morphologicalchanges in BEAS-۲B cells following the exposure to e-cigarette aerosol condensate and cigarettesmoke extract can be detected after ۲۴ hours of exposure. COVID-۱۹ has affected a considerablenumber of people around the world. Evidence notes that e-cigarette users are affected by itsnegative impact on respiratory system function, lung vulnerability, and smoking-related behaviors.Among the related behavioral factors, we can mention as one of the ways of transmitting COVID-۱۹ is through frequent hand-to-mouth contact, which is common among smokers (both cigarettesand e-cigarettes), also sharing e-cigarettes, which is common among e-cigarette users, mayexacerbate the rate of transmission of the COVID-۱۹ infection. Our paper proposes the followinghypotheses: ۱. Smoking e-cigarettes is a significant risk factor for COVID-۱۹ infection withsymptoms and its course. ۲. The incidence of COVID-۱۹ is higher in e-cigarette smokers than nonsmokers.۳. By quitting e-cigarettes, the incidence of COVID-۱۹ infection will be reduced.However, due to the lack of information and data in this field, it is necessary to examine and testthese hypotheses in analytical studies with full compliance with ethical principles.

کلیدواژه ها:

Electronic-Cigarette ، COVID-۱۹ ، Coronavirus.