/ -- The damage done by the COVID-19 pandemic is twofold: in addition to suffering from direct effects of the virus, the world is grappling with the challenge of social distancing. The mental and physical toll of this practice may be particularly profound for millions of smokers who, as a way to cope with stress, have increased their tobacco intake.
A recent poll explores the relationship between COVID-19 social distancing and health among 6,801 tobacco and nicotine users in 5 countries (India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and South Africa). Released today by the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, the survey found that the pandemic has increased smokers' desire to quit, as many believe that smoking increases their risk of contracting COVID-19. Two-thirds of 1,500 smokers surveyed in India expressed a desire to quit smoking for health reasons. This trend is especially pronounced among a vast majority of younger smokers who have attempted to quit smoking during the lockdown (smokers between the ages of 18 and 24, 72%; smokers between the ages of 25 and 39, 69%).
"Reports of increased stress and anxiety are consistent among the countries we polled, but the response in India particularly among younger tobacco and nicotine users stands out, with significant attempts to quit and adoption of healthier coping mechanisms," said Dr. Derek Yach, president of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World. "We need more research to understand why that is, and how we can encourage this type of behavior in other countries."
The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World is an independent, US nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the purpose of improving global health by ending smoking in this generation. The Foundation supports its mission through three core pillars: Health, Science and Technology; the Agricultural Transformation Initiative; and Industry Transformation. The Foundation has received contributions from Philip Morris International (PMI) in 2018 and 2019 each in the amount of US$80 million. PMI has pledged to contribute $80 million annually for the next ten years. Under the Foundation's bylaws and pledge agreement, PMI and the tobacco industry, generally, are precluded from having any control or influence over how the Foundation spends its funds or focuses its activities. The Foundation's acceptance of the contributions does not constitute an endorsement by the Foundation of any of the pledger's products. For more information about the Foundation,
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