By JULIE CUNNINGHAM
(Global) The World Health Organization, or WHO, has taken an uncharacteristically firm stance against the Tobacco Industry in light of COVID-19. Smokers can face more severe symptoms if infected with COVID-19 leading to increased hospitalizations and premature deaths.
“Tobacco lobbyists have tried to manipulate COVID-19 policymaking to get tobacco shops listed as ‘essential’ and offer free delivery of tobacco products to people in quarantine,” said WHO in a recent Facebook post.
WHO has come out with several warnings against the use of tobacco during the COVID-19 pandemic aimed at the Tobacco Industry as a whole. “COVID-19 preys on lungs, while the tobacco industry makes them more vulnerable,” read a recent post. During the pandemic, WHO has called for solidarity against the virus and for world cooperation to slow the spread. However, this is one of the first clear messages against an entire industry during the COVID-19 crisis.