Covid-19: they warn that smoking outdoors in bars and restaurants spreads the virus up to 8 meters

Smoking on the terraces of bars or restaurants turns them “in unsafe places” for both users and workers “due to the risk of contagion of Covid-19 and other diseases associated with tobacco that passive smokers have.” This was warned by the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR).

When infected through the airway, they explained that in open spaces the virus can join tobacco smoke and “reach distances of 8 meters”.

I also read: In Brazil, the coronavirus kills four times more children from 0 to 4 years old than those older than 5

In addition, this scientific society had already warned the Spanish Ministry of Health of several inalienable measures that should be included in the reform of the Anti-Tobacco Law, such as terraces being free of tobacco smoke and the toxins released by electronic devices used for vaping.

The explanation has to do with the fact that chemical agents “remain over time, adhere to clothing, objects or other facilities on the terraces.” In that sense, they said that they “remain residually in the smoker’s exhalation for at least 10 minutes after finishing their last cigarette.”

They even understand that smoking outdoors leads to a greater transmission of virulent particles because both smokers and non-smokers stay on the terraces during more time without the chinstrap, increasing the risk of contagion.

I also read: Biochemists warn that the results of the Covid self-test are “uncertain”

For this reason, they recommend that the terraces be free of tobacco smoke and toxic substances released by electronic devices, which would prevent contagion by COVID-19 and request that this measure is maintained over time to avoid infections not only from SARS CoV2, but also other respiratory infections.

What are the inalienable measures presented by SEPAR

• Defend non-smokers from the toxic agents of tobacco and electronic devices.
• Avoid the transmission of SARS CoV2 virus particles through tobacco smoke in both smokers and non-smokers, preventing contagion.
• Protect hotel employees from the consequences of exposure to tobacco smoke and the toxins released by electronic devices.
• Promote quit attempts in smokers, which would increase their chance of quitting, avoiding complications associated with tobacco, such as the greater severity of COVID-19