![\\"logo\\"](\\"/img/logo-dpa-factchecking.svg\\"/) *About ![\\"IFCN](\\"/img/ifcn-certificate.png\\"/) ![\\"EFCSN](\\"/img/efcsn- certificate.png\\"/) # There is no evidence that nicotine protects you against corona 23.5.2020, 12:33 (CEST) Posts about cigarettes and nicotine regularly appear on social media put forward as a means of protection against corona. According to an article according to the regional broadcaster Omroep Zeeland, smokers would become infected less often with the coronavirus and nicotine would have a protective effect. That's what they base it on focuses on an English study, but the facts appear to be different. ( REVIEW: The article by Omroep Zeeland, and therefore also the messages on social media, are misleading. Scientific research showed that Smokers actually experience more serious consequences from Covid-19. About the role of nicotine has not yet been proven as a possible means of protection. FACTS: The Omroep Zeeland article first starts with a misleading one title and introduction. 'Good' news for smokers, because they are 'less frequent become infected with the coronavirus." But that cannot be said with certainty say. Although some hypotheses have been published about its link with the Sars-CoV-2 virus and nicotine, every study indicates that there is no conclusion can be formed. The first observation of this fact comes from China. "Moreover, these are always observations that have not been proven," adds virologist Steven Van Gucht. "It is a topic that still needs to be investigated become.\" Moreover, an incorrect reference is made in the article. Broadcasting Zeeland refers to a study published in British Scientific magazine The Lancet. In detail, the study shows just the opposite: the researchers conclude that smokers and ex-smokers are more susceptible to more serious consequences of the coronavirus. Also the theory that "nicotine itself attaches to the same receptors in your nose that the virus also needs cells" is not discussed. In short, the reference to the study is unjustified. ( But where does that theory come from? circulated a few weeks ago many messages on social media about a French study that makes this statement cites. However, the study emphasizes that this is a hypothesis that is still pending needs to be further investigated. Moreover, several researchers have their expressed doubts about such claims. Following the French hypothesis gave the German Federal Association of Pneumologists, Sleep and Respiratory specialists (BdP) even give urgent advice against smoking and use of nicotine patches and other non-medical substitutes advice as prevention against Covid-19. ( Dutch and Belgian virologists also call for people not to smoke or smoke to use nicotine patches as a means of protection against corona. \"We know research shows with certainty that smoking has adverse effects on function of the heart, blood vessels and lungs," says Van Gucht, who is several weeks old already warned about such theories in a fact check by VRT NWS. "As a result, the risk of more serious consequences of the coronavirus is one much higher. The idea that smoking and nicotine in particular could be protective work is therefore purely hypothetical. We certainly advise against smoking or nicotine patches.\" Although the Omroep Zeeland article states that given at the bottom as a nuance, that is in fact the essence of it research. ( Moreover, Van Gucht emphasizes that no statements are yet possible about the possible protective effect of nicotine itself. According to the virologist There may be more factors involved. \"For example, it may be that smokers smoke more often stay outside than inside and are therefore less likely to become infected. Chinese researchers were the first to describe this in an observation, but with that it is not yet an investigation.\" \--- Left: Facebook message Omroep Zeeland: (archive: Article Omroep Zeeland: good-news-for-smokers-Nicotine-seems-to-protect-against-corona (archive: Chinese observation: (archive: Study from The Lancet: TeYviooM8PGvyUtnZLn_scsGJgoqQYHx_i3_kB_A (archive: Press release BdP: BdP website: French research: (archive: Fact check VRT NWS: (archive: Additional research: (archive: \--- Contact the dpa fact check team: factcheck-netherlands@dpa.com powered by dpa-newslab | Imprint | Privacy | About:
Messages regularly appear on social media that promote cigarettes and nicotine as a means of protection against corona According to an article by the regional broadcaster Omroep Zeeland smokers would become infected with the coronavirus less often and nicotine would have a protective effect They base this on an English study but the facts turn out to be different