D 03 - Tobacco Control in Times of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In debating about effective measures to contain the pandemic, little attention is given to tobacco control and smoking cessation. There is increasing evidence about the close relationships between tobacco use and serious COVID-19 health impact. Smokers are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection through frequent hand to mouth contact and are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 health impact. This because of pre-existing tobacco caused chronic diseases such as CVD cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), the latter a being detrimental condition in case of SARS-associated COVID.

However, with more people are facing financial and psychological stress during the pandemic, it becomes more difficult to promote smoking cessation services. WHO with its this year's World No Tobacco Day 2021 campaign is targeting health care providers as leaders in the fight against tobacco use. There is a great potential that the medical community positions itself more prominently as champions in tobacco control in a situation of greatest need for prevention of COVID related population health impact. This session will provide examples of successful tobacco control strategies building upon the health care needs and discuss how care providers can use the WHO WNTD 2021 campaign and the COVID-19 crisis to play a more active role in tobacco control.