ACROSS the world countries have become united in their quests to conquer the deadly and rapidly spreading coronavirus. Governments, businesses, researchers, civil society and the media are working towards a solution to the pandemic that can eventually see citizens being protected, a vaccine developed, the lockdowns lifted and economies bouncing back.
Faced with a global crisis of this magnitude, collaboration and unity are both critical. It’s a battle against time. In just four months, the pandemic has crippled the globe — with more than 2 million cases and over 100 000 deaths. In Africa, the caseload continues to rise with more than 15 000 cases and over 800 deaths.
Although efforts to cushion this pandemic should be commended, it’s important that we tread carefully. Both internationally and at a country level tobacco companies have offered financial support to the COVID-19 fight. Recently Tobacco giant British American Tobacco put themselves in the race to develop a vaccine. Every cent counts – and will help the fight. But the reality is that governments need to be cautious when they accept assistance from multinationals. Interactions must be transparent and in the interest of their citizens.
The government decisions should not be guided by any financial contributions but should put the health of their citizens first.
The tobacco companies’ contributions come as, on the continent, calls are mounting for governments to ban the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products during lockdowns to stop the spread of COVID19 and protect their citizens from severe harm.
Tobacco control advocates, civil society groups and researchers’ calls have been strengthened by studies that show how smokers who contract the virus are more likely to suffer severe symptoms and even die. Research into the effects of COVID-19 on smokers has shown their compromised lung function and immune response could be to their detriment in fighting the virus.
The actions of the African countries are also prompted by limited resources their countries have to respond to the crisis witnessed in the developed world where hundreds of thousands are dying.
It’s a known that smoking is detrimental to the immune system and has an adverse impact on the way the body responds to infections. Research has also shown that smokers are more vulnerable to infectious diseases and causes various respiratory diseases.
A systematic review of several early studies on the coronavirus shows that smokers who get COVID-19 are more likely to have more adverse symptoms. The review, published in the Tobacco Induced Diseases journal, looked at five studies where the patients infected with COVID-19 were smokers. In one, researchers found there were higher numbers of smokers among the patients that needed to be placed in the intensive care units of hospitals or on a mechanical ventilation.
The World Health Organisation has also weighed in, warning smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 from possible transmission through the physical act. Shisha, it says, could facilitate the transmission via shared mouthpieces and hoses in communal settings. Although shisha is banned in several countries including Uganda, many young people still use them.
Both the review and the warning provides impetus for health authorities to encourage people to stop using tobacco products. Some countries have already budged. In South Africa, the government removed both alcohol and cigarettes from the lists of essential items. Botswana followed suit, banning the sale and importation of tobacco and its related products while the country is in a state of emergency. And based on this, in Kenya a civil society grouping has also called for the government to institute the same measures.
Other countries on the continent should follow their example and prohibit the sale of tobacco and its products during their lockdowns. The government decisions should not be guided by any financial contributions but should put the health of their citizens first.