Our new paper in @TC_BMJ examines associations between smoking and COVID-19 relevant outcomes, taking into account the influence of inequalities and adjusting for potential confounding variables.

https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2020/08/20/tobaccocontrol-2020-055933.full?ijkey=jYy4dIRdJpnxKAM&keytype=ref

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Findings showed current smoking was associated with 1.8 times higher odds of confirmed COVID-19 relative to never smoking, independent of age, sex, ethnicity, key worker status and comorbid health conditions.

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This was driven by a substantially higher rate of confirmed COVID-19 among smokers with no post-16 qualifications, with no significant difference by smoking status in those with post-16 qualifications.

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Smokers reported lower adherence to guidelines despite being more worried than non-smokers about catching or becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.

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Many smokers (42%) reported smoking more than usual, and COVID-19-related stress was associated with increased smoking, particularly among those with no post-16 qualifications.

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The latter findings emphasise the need for continued investment in tobacco control activity and cessation support during the pandemic, with a focused effort to target disadvantaged smokers.

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