We all know that smoking is harmful to one’s lungs. Make 2020 the year you go smoke free by understanding why quitting smoking is vital, especially during a pandemic. In partnership with Seven Hills Behavioral Health, Southcoast Health strives to inform the community on the heightened risks of smoking amid COVID-19, a respiratory illness. 

As the coronavirus disrupts our lives, this fact raises concerns about the damaging impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) may have on those who smoke or vape.

Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, says, “Because it attacks the lungs, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 could be an especially serious threat to those who smoke tobacco or marijuana or who vape.”

While the long-term impact of vaping is not clear, there is evidence coming out that vaping, like smoking, harms the ability of the lungs to fight infection.

Despite the stressful times we’re living in, people who smoke or vape may want to quit to improve their ability to fight the coronavirus. The stress may lead others to relapse and start smoking or vaping again.

It’s never too late to try to quit.

People who smoke and vape know how hard it is to quit because nicotine, the drug in tobacco and vaping products, is highly addictive. Repeated tobacco and nicotine use is not a habit; it’s an addiction, and quitting can take several tries before one can stop for good. Many tobacco users say quitting is the hardest thing they’ve ever done; however, with planning, support, and dedication, many people stop for good.

Now may be a good time for those who smoke or vape to call the Massachusetts Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) for free coaching and support 24 hours each day, seven days a week.

Enroll online; access quit planning tools, peer support, and motivational text messages at KeepTryingMA.org.