12 February 2021 06:55 pm
Administering COVID-19 vaccine to those who consume alcohol and smoke cigarettes is mere a waste of money and resources, said National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman, Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa.
“Smoking affects and damages the respiratory system as same as what the COVID-19 virus does to human. Therefore, those who consume alcohol and smoke cigarettes are highly susceptible to become infected with COVID-19 virus,” Dr. Rajapaksa underlined.
“Also, consuming alcohol and cigarettes weakens one’s immunity, and thus, giving vaccines to them is absurd. It is very much ideal to provide these vaccines to those who abstain from smoking and drinking in order to gain productive results of the vaccination,” he added.
Dr. Rajapaksa also requested people to stop smoking and avoid taking alcohol at least for six months, if inoculated. (Sheain Fernandopulle)