Covid19 and nicotine: caution in interpreting “fragile” observations

Researchers from the University of Bath, a partner of the organization STOP (an international monitoring organization that tracks tobacco industry interference in public policy), have published an analysis of two controversial studies conducted by doctors/researchers at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris who hypothesize that nicotine consumption could protect against the risk of contracting COVID19. These researchers from Bath indicate that the results of these two studies, which have not yet been formally published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, contradict those already published on the links between smoking and COVID19, and the pathophysiological mechanisms concerning this infection. This published document[1] reports methodological weaknesses in these two studies. For example: the majority of the subjects monitored are healthcare professionals among whom, on the one hand, the prevalence of smoking is much lower than in the general population, and, on the other hand, the risks of exposure to Covid19 virus infection are higher due to their professional activity. It is therefore difficult to compare this "biased" sample to the general population and to conclude that there is a proven link between smoking and the risk of contracting the infection. In addition, the most severe Covid + patients, i.e. those hospitalized in intensive care, were not taken into account in this study. The French health authorities immediately alerted the population to prevent misinterpretations, recalling that these were observational studies, which do not allow conclusions to be drawn and which are part of a general research process. The public authorities have rightly reminded smokers of the need to quit smoking as quickly as possible and have warned non-smokers about the risks of consuming nicotine. To this end, the French authorities have issued a decree limiting the sale of nicotine substitutes to prevent panic buying and inappropriate consumption. ©Generation Without Tobacco

---

[1] https://exposetobacco.org/news/flawed-covid19-studies/ ©National Committee Against Smoking |