Public Health Concerns and Unsubstantiated Claims at the Intersection of Vaping and COVID-19
Abstract
COVID-19 has changed the way people are living across the globe but will affect the health of specific populations more than others. Initial evidence suggests that older adults and individuals with preexisting medical conditions are more likely to develop problems with the virus.1 Those with preexisting chronic respiratory conditions are an extremely vulnerable group,2 and may include individuals who engage in behaviors (eg, smoking and vaping) that affect respiratory health.1,3 During our systematic surveillance of vaping-related conversations on Twitter, we identified topics of conversations at the intersection of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and vaping. Two of these topics are particularly relevant to public health and include health concerns and unsubstantiated health claims. One of the key concerns revolved around elevated health risks associated with COVID-19 among those that vape. For example, specific questions raised pertained to whether individuals who vape at higher risk to COVID-19 infections, and whether vaping, linked to lung inflammation, makes individuals more susceptible to COVID-19 infections. Similarly, concerns pertained to the possible priority measures for vaping individuals. For example, additional questions included whether individuals who vape be prioritized in COVID-19 testing, and whether individuals should stop vaping during the COVID-19 as a preventive measure. Other concerns revolved around the dangers of spreading COVID-19 through the sharing…
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