Smokers are less likely to test positive for the coronavirus, according to research that offers yet more evidence that the habit may be protective. Studies show nicotine may stop a dangerous immune system over-reaction called a cytokine storm - a phenomenon found to be killing many Covid-19 patients. Those who had previously smoked had a slightly lower (19 per cent) risk of catching the coronavirus, the results suggested. The team wrote: 'The risk of infection by COVID-19 appears to be reduced by half among current smokers. The graph shows the smoking rate of each country against the percentage of smokers among COVID-19 patients.

Source: Daily Mail June 02, 2020 15:44 UTC