I posted something recently about smoking, exhalation and Covid transmission. In a nutshell, yes you can catch covid from exhaled smoke. I was asked a question about some studies suggesting that nicotine patches might treat and protect against getting infected so I did a little digging.
Just as a fyi, nicotine is a naturally occurring compound, found in many fruits and vegetables but is obviously found in tobacco. It is addictive at higher levels. Nicotine receptors exist on most cells in the body and tobacco, as well as vaping companies, add more nicotine to their products to add to their addictive nature. In fact, nicotine levels can be 10x higher in vaping products as compared with tobacco, adding to the horrible epidemic in our younger people.
There are some studies that show that nicotine, NOT SMOKING, can bind to the ACE-2 receptor, the one to which SARS-Cov-2 binds to, slowing progression or possibly even preventing infection. Smokers express much higher levels of these receptors than non-smokers which is partly why they are more likely to get infected in the first place. Their outcomes are also significantly poorer than non-smokers.
I look at this issue in the same way I look at other supplements like Vitamn D, Zinc and Quercetin. These co-factors have been shown, in varying degrees, to help treat and MAYBE prevent covid infections BUT only if you are deficient in these substances to begin with. If levels are already normal, their benefits are not as significant.
The point is that, if you are deficient, primarily because of a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables along with other poor lifestyle habits, then supplements may help. BUT, the obvious conclusion SHOULD be:
EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND IMPROVE YOUR LIFESTYLE!
The danger with studies showing benefit of anything is that the public jumps on it, distorts it and uses it as justification to continue their poor lifestyle choices. We can make up for it with another pill!
People love to hear good things about their bad habits!
There is a famous memo, sent to employees of one of the largest tobacco companies by their CEO during the era when there were congressional hearings going on about tobacco, health and the collusion of tobacco companies to hide and distort the evidence. The memo simply stated that: “Our product is DOUBT”. They knew that all they had to do was shed doubt on the science, and people would keep smoking. It worked. The same is going on today with all the pseudoscience and science deniers.
Get your nicotine from natural sources like Tomatoes, Potatoes, Cauliflower, Tea, Eggplants and Peppers and you don’t need the nicotine patches, the sales of which France has put a moratorium on because of the study findings and the over-reaction of the public.
Stay safe and be well.
AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻♂️🌎😷