According to the World Health Organisation, “smokers are more likely to develop severe disease with COVID-19, compared to non-smokers”.At a time when the vaccination programme against Covid-19 is being slowly rolled out across the world, including Mauritius, VISA is bringing its contribution in the fight against the pandemic by producing and distributing face masks (with tobacco prevention messages), widely considered to be an effective measure for warding off transmission of the virus.
The association has produced and distributed a total of 1,200 face masks among different population groups, including but not limited to the following:government sectors such as Ministry of Health and Wellness, Registrar of Associations, Ministry of Youthand Sports and National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF), smokers following treatment in smoking cessation clinics, university students, women attending activities in community centres and cashiers in supermarkets.
Images of Covid-19 face masks
Documents on Covid-19 and tobacco use
Tobacco use and COVID-19: WHO statement
Tobacco and COVID-19: Questions and Answers (WHO)
COVID-19 (Tobacco Tactics, University of Bath)
SMOKING, VAPING & COVID-19: WHAT ARE HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS AND EXPERTS SAYING? (Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids)
What We Know About Tobacco Use and COVID-19 (Geffrey Drope, American Cancer Society)
How smoking, vaping and drug use might increase risks from Covid-19 (Gina Yu, CNN)