While the novel coronavirus is dangerous for most everyone, it poses a particular threat to certain populations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those at higher risk of developing coronavirus complications or a severe and potentially life-threatening case of COVID-19 include people over age 65 and those with asthma, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, hemoglobin disorders, liver disease, a compromised immune system, serious heart conditions, and severe obesity.

Unfortunately, there are other groups that may be at risk of coronavirus complications due to their habits. For instance, the CDC notes that those who stop taking their normal medications may be at increased risk of coronavirus complications. Another group of people currently being considered by the health community as being at greater risk of developing a deadly case of the virus is e-cigarette users.

How Vaping May Put You at Risk of Coronavirus Complications

When vaping was introduced to the market, it was frequently advertised as a safer alternative to smoking. However, while that claim may or may not be true, one thing medical experts know for certain is that vaping can damage your lungs. There hasn’t been sufficient time to do comprehensive testing on how vaping may lead to coronavirus complications, but, as CNET put it, we don’t know the full extent of the link between vaping and coronavirus, but “medical expertise and common sense” can tell us that there is one.

While all the effects vaping has on users’ lungs is not fully known, we do know that pre-pandemic, some 2,500 people were hospitalized for vaping related lung illnesses. As CNET reports, at least 64 of those people died from their illnesses. It may be the contaminants inhaled from the device rather than the act of vaping itself which damages the lungs and could lead to coronavirus complications.

No official studies have been done on the issue, but information recently released by the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that people in China with vaping or smoking-related respiratory conditions are at higher risk of developing severe coronavirus complications, according to NBC News. This threat exists regardless of the age of the vape-user.

Vaping vs. Smoking

According to Healthline, both vaping and smoking are harmful, and there is currently no evidence to show that vaping may be less likely to lead to the development of coronavirus complications. There have been claims circulating online that vaping is actually more likely than cigarettes to lead to severe complications, but Healthline says this is unsubstantiated. Both of these habits can harm the lungs and weaken the immune system. This means that you will be both more likely to contract the disease and less able to fight its effects. This is true of all types of smoking, be it tobacco or cannabis. Healthline advises avoiding smoking if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms or shortness of breath.

Is Now the Time to Quit?

The risks posed by vaping and smoking are especially alarming given the prevalence of teen and youth vaping in the U.S. NBC News reports that each day, more than 300 youths become daily cigarette smokers. Last year alone saw a nearly 80 percent increase in the number of high schoolers vaping. Not taking into account the effects of COVID-19, the CDC expects 5.6 million Americans under the age of 18 to die prematurely due to a smoking-related illness.

Right now, much of the world is under lockdown. Bars are closed and most of the public is staying home. When people aren’t at work, they aren’t taking smoke breaks, and no one is stuck in traffic. Basically, it presents an excellent opportunity for those struggling with a cigarette or vaping addiction to quit. No one is following their usual routine, and many of our loved ones have more time to offer support. If you are currently a smoker, COVID-19 is a compelling reason to quit.