Tobacco use and COVID-19 in Ghana: generating evidence to support policy and practice

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 45 million people and caused over a million deaths globally. Tobacco use, a threat to public health worldwide, increases the risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease and death. The hand-to-mouth action, smoking-induced lung diseases, and the sharing of tobacco products such as water pipes, increase a smoker's vulnerability to COVID-19. Implementation of tobacco control efforts in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) including sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a particular challenge. The aim of this study in Ghana was to produce evidence to support governments to make informed policy decisions about tobacco control interventions in the context of COVID-19.

COVID-19 and tobacco cessation: lessons from India.

OBJECTIVES: The Government of India prohibited the sale of tobacco products during the COVID-19 lockdown to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study assessed the tobacco cessation behaviour and its predictors among adult tobacco users during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in India. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 801 adult tobacco users (both smoking and smokeless tobacco) in two urban metropolitan cities of India over a 2-month period (July to August 2020). The study assessed complete tobacco cessation and quit attempts during the lockdown period. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to study the correlates of tobacco cessation and quit attempts, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 90 (11.3%) tobacco users reported that they had quit using tobacco after the COVID-19 lockdown period. Overall, a median of two quit attempts (interquartile range 0-6) was made by tobacco users. Participants with good knowledge on the harmful effects of tobacco use and COVID-19 were significantly more likely to quit tobacco use (odds ratio [OR] 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-4.0) and reported more quit attempts (incidence risk ratio 5.7; 95% CI 2.8-11.8) compared to those with poor knowledge. Participants who had access to tobacco products were less likely to quit tobacco use compared to those who had no access (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.5]. CONCLUSIONS: Access restrictions and correct knowledge on the harmful effects of tobacco use and COVID-19 can play an important role in creating a conducive environment for tobacco cessation among users.