According to the study, although smokers are more vulnerable to catching COVID-19 due to their damaged and weakened lungs, fewer of them end up in hospital or ICUs compared to non-smokers.
Researchers say this is because the nicotine in their system can act as an inhibitor, stopping COVID’s cytokines from inflaming the lungs, which often proves fatal.
The study analysed patients across the
three hospitals during the peak of the pandemic.
Investigators discovered that there were far fewer numbers of habitual smokers than expected.
This, the study suggests, is because the chemical can prevent a so-called cytokine storm, which can lead to respiratory failure and the attack of healthy tissues, causing multi-organ failure.
Several other studies, including in Israel, the US and the UK, have also suggested that nicotine could be beneficial in fighting the virus.
