In a recent press release published by AIDUCE / SOVAPE, the associations say that provisional results of a recent survey do not show any difference in the rate of suspected contamination among vapers compared to the general population.
A NICOTINE / COVID-19 SURVEY WITH ENCOURAGING RESULTS!
Is there a greater risk of being a vaper with the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) which is currently affecting the world? This is the question that a survey launched by associations Aiduce et Sovape, with the collaboration of Professor Bertrand Dautzenberg from Paris Sans Tabac tried to answer. Here is the press release proposed by the associations Aiduce et Sovape the last days :
The vapers have mobilized. In just 4 days, an online questionnaire made it possible to survey more than 4 households, representing nearly 000 people in France, including 10 vapers. Compared to the general population, the provisional results do not show any difference in the rate of suspected contamination among vapers.
French vaping survey / Covid-19
The survey launched by associations Aiduce et Sovape, with the collaboration of Professor Bertrand Dautzenberg of Paris Sans Tabac, collected data on more than 10 people in four days. The provisional processing of the first data on 000 households counts 4 people, 000% of them declare a suspicion of contamination by Sars-Cov-9. Among the 824 exclusive vapers in the sample, 2,5% suspect they are infected. The differences between smokers, vapers, vapers and non-consumers of nicotine products do not seem significant.
Similar suspicion between vapers and the rest of the population
The survey data concerns 44% (4) of exclusive vapers, 315% (8,3) of exclusive smokers, 816% (6,8) of vapers also smokers and 663% (40,9) of non-consumers nicotine [1]. A proportion of non-nicotine users are children, who are extremely unlikely to have symptoms. Compared to other national assessments, the share of vapers and their relatives suspected of having symptoms of Covid-19 seems close to the first general estimates.
Other estimates
According to the estimate as of March 31 by the modeling team at Imperial College London, the rate of people who may have been infected with the virus in Europe is between 1,8% and 11,4%. Researchers advance with great uncertainty an estimate of 3% in France [2]. MG France, union of general practitioners, carried out a survey which assesses at 2% the number of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 symptoms in the office [3].
Finally, according to the declarations of the President of the Scientific Council, Pr Jean-François DELFRAISSY, the immunity rate in the first measurements in the East and the Oise would be 10 to 15% (total of people who may have been infected, and therefore immunized).
The puzzle of the role of nicotine
Behind the survey, intriguing data from Chinese studies and US CDC statistics[4] show a rate of smokers affected by Covid-19 from four to ten times lower than the smoking prevalence in the general population. These results raise questions about a possible role of nicotine, as mentioned on France Info by Professor Jean-François DELFRAISSY, president of the government's Scientific Council [5].
The greatest caution is in order, as these data are preliminary and the possible explanations are sometimes contradictory. In this context, a survey was launched among vapers, a solid community capable of mobilizing on health issues. This extraction of data from the citizen survey is not strictly scientific. The provisional results are clues, to be read with care and disseminated for the information of the public.
Appeal to authorities, researchers and doctors
Although covering nearly 10 people, this citizen survey is inconclusive on a major protective effect of nicotine. The first data show no major positive or negative effect of vaping in the face of the risk of contracting Covid-000 for vapers and those around them. It neither confirms the hypothesis of a protective effect of nicotine nor the alarmist messages propagated against vaping. [6].
Let us remind vapers of the advice to respect the barrier gestures already distributed: respect a social distance of 2 meters, wash your hands frequently, do not share your personal vaporizer, clean it frequently [7].
We call on the health authorities and the government's Scientific Council to do everything possible to refine the observation and provide data as quickly as possible. Doctors should question their patients on the subject to collect actionable data on nicotine consumption patterns and patients' smoking histories to improve at least observational knowledge.
We call on competent researchers to take these factors into account when deciphering existing studies or in the context of new research.
Reminder: smoking promotes serious illnesses
As far as we know, 98% of patients infected with Sars-Cov-2 recover [8]. For its part, smoking leads to illnesses. Ultimately, one in two smokers who continues to smoke dies prematurely, 75 preventable deaths each year in France [9].
Quitting smoking remains one of the best health prevention measures. The use of smokeless nicotine, by vaping or nicotine substitutes, significantly increases the chances of successfully quitting smoking.
We warmly thank the very many vapers who mobilized in record time of four days to participate in the survey and contribute to the search for knowledge. "
For more information, visit the official website of AIDUCE.
