Does Smoking Combat The Coronavirus?

Date: 9th June 2020. 20:18:11

Caption: #sarkar #desiswag #sutta #coronavirus #karachiboy #fightagainstcorona #covidー19 #fucķyoucorona #tiktokpakistan

Video Translation: Credible neurobiologist says smokers have an 80% reduced chance of contracting coronavirus.

Video views: 640

Shares: 1

Rating: Misinformation, misleading, factually inaccurate

Debunk:

The narration in the TikTok claims that a credible neurobiologist has said that smokers have an 80% reduced chance of contracting Covid-19. This is likely referencing the French study done by neurobiologist Jean-Pierre Changeux of the Institut Pasteur:

https://www.dw.com/en/does-nicotine-help-against-the-new-coronavirus/a-53260336

The important takeaway from the study is that tobacco consumption “appears” to combat the coronavirus. The statistic of 80% comes from studying the French Covid-struck population and how the daily smoking rate was 80% lower in this group compared to the general French populace.

Original study: https://www.qeios.com/read/FXGQSB.2

There have also been various studies that suggest the opposite. The following study from the Baylor College of Medicine highlights tobacco smoking as a risk factor for infection:

https://neurosciencenews.com/smoking-coronavirus-16279/

The World Health Organization has also stated the findings “not consistent with what we are seeing in other countries”:

https://www.ft.com/content/1fe1dda2-bec5-426b-8cfc-a7c2e5a4b139

With the study of Covid-19 still developing globally, there isn’t enough evidence to say that nicotine consumption can combat the coronavirus, with many coming to the opposite conclusion. Therefore, we believe this to be misinformation.