Evaluation of Changes in the Smoking Habits of Patients with Coronavirus Disease-19

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of our study was to determine the changes in the smoking habits of active smokers hospitalized with Coronavirus disease-19 (Covid-19).


METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective research on smokers hospitalized with Covid-19 between March 2020 and June 2020. A total of 105 patients were included in the study. The age, gender, comorbidities, cigarette pack per year, PCR test results of the patients were recorded from the patient files. Patients were approached by telephone and a questionnaire was applied to them to evaluate smoking habits following discharge.

RESULTS: A total of 105 patients participated in the study. 42 (40.0%) were female and the mean age of the patients was 39.80 ± 12.66 (width, 16-69) years. Patients smoked 14.51 ±13.88 packs of cigarettes a year on average. Of the patients, 13.33% quit smoking. In our study, it was determined that after having Covid-19, 86.66% (n: 91) of the patients continued to smoke. Of those who did not quit smoking, 53.8% stated that they reduced smoking compared to the past, 76.9% thought to quit smoking, and 48.4% said they needed professional support to quit smoking. In addition, 38.5% of those who didn’t quit smoking stated that they believed they were caught Covid-19 due to smoking.


DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Raising awareness that quitting smoking reduces the risks and complications of Covid-19 and activating new smoking cessation programs may help individuals to quit smoking during the pandemic.