Smokers at 50% higher risk of developing severe diseases, death from Covid-19: WHO Smokers at 50% higher risk of developing severe diseases, death from Covid-19: WHO While launching its 'Commit to Quit' tobacco campaign, the WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said smokers can develop cancer, heart diseases and respiratory illnesses from coronavirus. advertisement UPDATED: May 30, 2021 12:55 IST The WHO chief said that smokers can develop cancer, heart disease and respiratory illness from coronavirus. (Representational image) The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Friday warned that people who smoke tobacco have up to 50 per cent higher risk of developing serious illnesses and dying due to Covid-19.