According to research, nicotine could protect people from contracting the coronavirus.

The study is based on a hypothesis with incomplete trials and hence the claim cannot be proven to be true.

The study is based on a hypothesis with incomplete trials and hence the claim cannot be proven to be true.The Pitie-Salpetriere report published by Qeios said that based on the current scientific studies and epidemiological data the current smoking status appears to be a protective factor against the infection by COVID-19. The researcher hypothesized that the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in the human body played a key role in the pathophysiology of Covid-19 infection and might represent a target for the prevention and control of Covid-19 infection. The researchers said the nicotinic hypothesis can be challenged with additional clinical studies and experimental observations.

The Guardian reported that the research team at Pitie-Salpetriere hospital in Paris questioned 480 patients who were tested positive for the virus and found that regular smokers are much less likely to develop a symptom or severe infection with COVID-19 compared with the general population.

The study has not been peer-reviewed and published. As it is a hypothetical study and needs more clinical trials, we consider the claim as unverifiable.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.