The review analyzed data on the risks of influenza infection and severe course in tobacco smokers compared with non-smokers. The incidence of influenza in the Russian Federation in 2018 amounted to 26.33 per 100 000 people, and was 24% lower than the incidence in 2017 (34.86 per 100 000) due to the fact that in recent years the coverage of the population with preventive vaccinations has been significantly increased against the flu. Meta-analyzes shows that current smokers are more likely to get the flu than non-smokers. It is noted that smoking may increase the risk of hospitalization in smokers (OR 1.32–2.18 in various meta-analyzes) and former smokers after infection with the influenza virus. Tobacco has been found to increase the risk of death from influenza among older people. At the same time, there is a study of risk factors for severe outcomes in patients hospitalized with the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu, in which smoking was not a risk factor for severe outcomes. During the influenza epidemic, smokers and former smokers should be given the flu shot and be informed of the risk of hospitalization, and they are also strongly advised to stop smoking.
