COVID-19: Complications much worse to active, passive smokers

The complications of COVID-19 infection are much worse in smokers than non-smokers.

In fact, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the virus that invade the respiratory tract and lungs also cause severe complications to passive smokers including children.

"If those who are infected with COVID-19 are smokers, then their complications are greater.

“So, their (smokers) lungs are affected because they impair function.

“When infected with COVID-19, the implications are even worse.

"In fact, exposed children or passive smokers ... for example there are family members who smoke, there are implications for them if infected," he told a daily press conference here on Thursday.