How smoking and vaping affect molecules on cells that the COVID-19 virus uses to infect us

Smoking combustible tobacco cigarettes may increase susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, because smokers, when compared to non-smokers, have higher levels of ACE2 and other molecules the virus uses to enter cells. Vapers do not have such molecular changes to the same extent, warranting further study to determine if smokers who switch to e-cigarettes may become less susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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