Smokers can donate blood as well, research says

Blood donation saves many lives. The donated blood is given to the patients is to cure various diseases such as thalassemia and so on.  There are various blood banks available where people can donate blood to save others’ lives.

However, there is a constant debate about whether a smoker or person addicted to nicotine can donate blood or not.

A person who uses cigarettes or vapes is eligible to donate blood. However, the nicotine and harmful chemicals contaminate the blood of smokers and that can affect those people to whom the blood is donated.

According to the American Lincoln association, a cigarette, when burned, can produce dangerous chemicals including Carbon Monoxide, arsenic, ammonia, and others. Cancer-causing chemicals are also produced from burning a cigarette or using e-cigarettes.

According to the American Red Cross, people whose blood pressure remains 91/50 or 80/100 can donate blood.

Note that cigarettes can also cause high blood pressure.

Blood samples of smokers and non-smokers were compared in research in 2018. It was found that smoking does not affect the overall standard of the donated blood.

Whereas, the researchers have also told that red cells of the blood in smoker’s body contains more level of Carboxyhaemoglobin. COHb is formed in red blood cells due to carbon monoxide which lowers oxygen in the blood.

The researchers have suggested not to smoke 12 hours before donating the blood.