Tobacco use accelerates transmission of Covid-19: Health ministry

New Delhi: Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to Covid-19 as smoking increases the possibility of transmission of the virus from hand to mouth, the Union Health Ministry has said, warning that the use of tobacco products can increase the severity of respiratory infections and make people susceptible to coronavirus.

In its document ‘Covid-19 Pandemic and Tobacco Use in India’, the ministry said experts have confirmed that smokers are more likely to develop severe symptoms or die from Covid-19, as it primarily attacks the lungs and warned against the use of any such products.

Smokers, it warned, are likely to be more vulnerable to Covid-19 as the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of the virus from hand to mouth.

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Tobacco-based potential Covid-19 vaccine ready for human trials

Tobacco-based potential Covid-19 vaccine ready for human trials

British American Tobacco said it was ready to test its potential Covid-19 vaccine using proteins from tobacco leaves on humans, after it generated a positive immune response in pre-clinical trials.

British American Tobacco (BAT), is the world’s second-largest manufacturer of cigarettes. It is said that the vaccine has been synthesized using proteins from tobacco leaves on humans.

In April the company said it is developing a Covid-19 vaccine from tobacco leaves and could produce 1 million to 3 million doses per week if it got the support of government agencies and the right manufacturers.

The company said once it gets approval from the U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) for the vaccine, it would progress to Phase 1 trials or testing on humans.

Also, it has committed funds to conduct clinical trials, which it expects to start as early as late June, and invested in additional equipment to boost capacity.