Tobacco Sales Surge During Pandemic as Health Officials Urge Quitting

According to European Weekly, tobacco sales worldwide are increasing during the coronavirus outbreak.

Experts say it is unlikely that more people will start smoking; current smokers are more likely to stock up on tobacco products in preparation for longer periods of abstinence.
 

In some places, such as Spain, authorities have declared tobacco an essential business to help with the supply and sale of products. Major tobacco producers achieved significant sales in the first quarter of 2020. So far, the brand value of Marlboro is €30.5 billion (US$33.3 billion), and L&M's brand value is €5.5 billion.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that smokers and e-cigarette users are more likely to contract Covid-19 and suffer complications from the disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States points out that individuals with asthma and other respiratory diseases are at higher risk of complications from Covid-19, and smokers are more likely to experience asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Therefore, the WHO and other public health officials recommend that smokers take this opportunity to quit smoking permanently.