WALES'S 440,000 smokers - including tens of thousands across Gwent - are being urged to quit now as a way to reduce the risk from coronavirus.

Emerging evidence shows that smokers are more likely to develop more serious lung illnesses compared to non-smokers.

Smokers are considered to be at more risk from coronavirus because they have weakened lung defences as a result of smoking, which damages cells protecting their nose, upper and lower airways.

They also have more regular hand-to-mouth contact, providing more chances for picking up the virus. Many also have existing lung conditions caused by smoking.

Those who quit smoking however, will boost their body’s natural defences within days and improve their body’s ability to fight the infection.

Hundreds of smokers have contacted the NHS Help Me Quit helpline since the outbreak began, according to Public Health Wales, and in response more telephone support advisors have been drafted in to provide smokers with the help they need.

ASH Wales is also reporting that a 40 per cent increase in visitors to its website, mostly searching for online advice on how to quit, while social media has also seen a spike in engagement with thousands of people reacting to the #QuitforCovid campaign.

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“Seven in ten smokers in Wales say they would like to quit - there might never be a more important time than now to try harder than ever," said Ashley Gould, public health consultant at Public Health Wales.

He added that one study of slightly more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths showed that around 13 per cent of current smokers died, or needed intensive care or a ventilator, compared to just five per cent of non-smokers.

Another study - involving Chinese coronavirus patients - found that smokers are approximately one-and-a-half times as likely to progress to the severe stage as those who have never smoked.

ASH Wales chief executive Suzanne Cass said the message to smokers is clear - "quit this deadly addiction now".

“We know that giving up smoking can be incredibly tough but there really is no more important time to quit. The health benefits kick in within minutes of stubbing out that last cigarette and continue to grow with time," she said.

Call the Help Me Quit line on 0800 085 2219, or visit www.helpmequit.wales