Study to generate evidence to support policy and practice to address tobacco use during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. Image Smokers at higher riskUnderlying chronic health conditions such as heart or respiratory disease, cancer and diabetes are more common in smokers. These underlying conditions put smokers at a greater risk during the COVID-19 pandemic.Tobacco control during epidemicsThere is a need to better integrate responses to infectious disease epidemics and tobacco control interventions, particularly in low and middle income countries where health service capacity is limited.This new study, led by Professor Linda Bauld, is set to build on existing work across Africa and Asia. It will generate evidence to inform policy decisions relating to public health responses during respiratory health infectious disease epidemics, such as COVID-19, with a particular focus on tobacco control interventions.Mental and physical health of smokersIn addition, the team will investigate the social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and its response on the mental health, physical health and quality of life of smokers and their families in Pakistan and India.Related linksCovid-19 and Tobacco project pageUrgent funding for research in LMICsGCRF Tobacco Control Capacity Programme Publication date 02 May, 2020
