In New York, the Mayor Bill De Blasio talks about smoking, vaping and coronavirus, but Prof. Riccardo Polosa publishes an harsh tweet
The New York Mayor De Blasio told a press conference that people who smoke or vape are at higher risk of facing serious disease if they contract the coronavirus.
“If you are a smoker or a vaper that does make you more vulnerable,” de Blasio said, urging New Yorkers to seek help in quitting. “If you are a smoker or a vaper this is a very good time to stop that habit and we will help you.”
A greater risk for people over the age of 50 and with heart disease, lung disease, cancer, immune system vulnerability or diabetes face increased risks.
A statement that triggered an harsh reply by Prof. Riccardo Polosa, founder of the COEHAR:
“Although smoking has been shown to increase susceptibility to respiratory infection to bacterial and viral pathogens and quitting smoking appears to lower the risk of respiratory infection, the same does not apply to vaping”.
“Regular use of EC may reduce pathogens activity, probably due to the presence of propylene glycol in its aerosol form, which has well known antibacterial as well as antiviral activity. Antibacterial activity has been recently also shown in commercially available e-liquids. Moreover, an on-line survey suggests that vaping does not increase
infection rates and may in fact lead to a decrease in viral infections of the upper airways“, added Polosa.
