Support for health professionals

Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) has recommended ceasing all face-to-face stop smoking service appointments and providing behavioural support via telephone or remote systems. NCSCT is looking to develop resources to support this. View NCSCT’s current recommendations.

CO monitoring

NHS England is recommending suspending use of CO monitors with pregnant women until the spread to Covid-19 is reduced. This is in line with recommendations from the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT) that all CO monitoring is suspended. 

E-cigarette use

There has been some suggestion in the media that e-cigarette use could increase risks from Covid-19. There is no clear evidence for this suggestion, and while we know smoking is a definite risk factor, we would continue to encourage smokers to think about switching to e-cigarettes to reduce their risk of respiratory infections.

ASH has been collaborating with partners to promote the message #QuitForCovid, and has published: 

• A press release
• A smoking and Covid-19 infographic 

Fresh has produced two videos explaining the risks related to smoking and COVID-19 and sharing messages around encouraging smokers to quit: 

• Video with Dr Nick Hopkinson, Reader in Respiratory Medicine at Imperial College London and Chair of ASH
• Video with Dr Ruth Sharrock, Respiratory Consultant at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead

We are expecting further guidance on Covid-19 and smoking from Public Health England soon and will share any updates as soon as they become available.