The World No Tobacco Day commemoration offers the right momentum to raise public awareness of the dangers of smoking, a pulmonary specialist from the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association (PDPI) in Central Java, Dr. Indah Rahmawati, Sp.P stated.
"This momentum should also be used to start quitting smoking in order to avoid a greater risk of contracting COVID-19," Rahmawati noted here on Monday.
The doctor remarked that smoking can increase the risk of being exposed to COVID-19.
"Research states that the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor where COVID-19 attaches is found more in smokers than those who do not smoke. Thus, smoking will automatically increase the risk of exposure to COVID-19," she cautioned.
Meanwhile, the doctor noted that "Commit to Quit" was the theme for World No Tobacco Day 2021.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many smokers to quit and commit to quitting smoking," she noted.
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Dare to quit (smoking) campaign on World No Tobacco Day in 2021 aims to call on all people, particularly smokers, to quit smoking.
"It is very good, as smoking in any form can interfere with the health and safety of oneself or others," she stated.
Hence, Rahmawati urged all people to stop smoking in order to maintain the health of themselves as well as those around them.
"Quitting smoking can lead to a healthier quality of life for yourself and the environment," the doctor emphasized.
Meanwhile, field epidemiologist from Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Purwokerto, Dr. Yudhi Wibowo, also noted that the commemoration of World No Tobacco Day offered the right momentum to intensify the dissemination of information on the dangers of smoking.
"Let us increase the campaign and dissemination of information on the dangers of smoking, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Smoking can damage the function of the respiratory tract and cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," he stated.
Wibowo noted that the momentum of World No Tobacco Day, observed every May 31, should be used to bolster awareness of the dangers of smoking amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We need to educate all people, especially the younger generation, that smoking is very dangerous for our health and others. Stop smoking from now on before it is too late," Wibowo remarked.
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Editor : Mahdani
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