The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) yesterday warned that alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking will affect the immunity of users if infected with the COVID virus.
NATA Chairman Samadhi Rajapaksa urged the Exercise Commissioner General to personally visit the vicinity of liquor outlets in the Colombo city and suburban areas even after this travel restriction period is over and take immediate measures to inform the relevant authorities to cancel their licences considering the large number of COVID related deaths being reported from all parts of the country daily.
Dr.Rajapaksa said that considering the pathetic health situation in the country majority people are in the habit if using various drugs to improve their immunity to get rid of this deadly virus and at the same time it is pity that a section in society are used to cigarette smoking and consuming alcohol.
He said he personally saw the stampedes near liquor outlets the day before the travel restrictions were imposed by the Government and how people gathered in their hundreds to buy liquor.
Dr.Rajapaksa said cigarettes and alcohol definitely reduce one’s immunity and helps the COVID virus to enter the body easily.
He said although a person has taken both vaccine doses, the immunity of persons smoking and consuming alcohol reduces drastically. Dr. Rajapaksa also mentioned about passive smoking and said as a result of such a situation the immunity of others who are living close together will also be at risk.
source https://www.dailynews.lk/2021/08/23/local/257371/nata-alerts-effects-smoking-alcohol-covid-infected
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