Prefer a bold smoke
It proliferates locally in the tissue and leads to exacerbation of symptoms that disrupt tissue in the vicinity
[See Menthol: Facts, stats and regulations for additional information] Certain groups smoke menthol cigarettes at higher rates, including young people, women, sexual minorities, those with mental illness, and racial and ethnic minorities, especially Black Americans
They pointed out that a careful review of the data [from the French study] instead reveals the findings are more likely due to statistical flaws and sampling error, along with poor rates of screening and documentation of smoking history by physicians. They also expressed concern that the lead author of the French study, Jean-Pierre Changeux, had ties to the tobacco industry, having previously accepted $220,000 from the tobacco industry-funded Council for Tobacco Research in the 1990s, and collaborated with RJ Reynolds and Philip Morris. Until we have unbiased data, supported by solid research design, and free of any tobacco industry influence, we would caution against the likely myth that smoking protects from acquiring COVID-19, Maa and Halpern-Felsher wrote.
