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What Can Happen If You Smoke Around Someone With Asthma?

Exposure to second-hand smoke causes disease and premature death in children and adults who do not smoke. According to The American Lung Association, second-hand smoke (trigger or stimuli) can cause serious harm to children. An estimated 400,000 to one million asthmatic children experience aggravated symptoms when exposed to second-hand smoke.

  1. The Facts

    • The American Lung Association states that asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways, with reversible episodes of obstruction, caused by an increased reaction of the airways to various stimuli (for example, allergens, dust particles or second-hand smoke.) Asthma happens in "episodes" or "attacks" but the inflammation underlying asthma is persistent.

    Significance

    • According to cdc.gov/asthma/triggers/html, parents, friends and relatives of children with asthma should try to stop smoking and should never smoke around a person with asthma. They should only smoke outdoors and not in the family home or car. They should not allow others to smoke in the home, and they should make sure their child's school is smoke-free.

    Effects of Triggers

    • Since second-hand smoke is a trigger for asthmatics this could cause an attack or episode.

    Treatment

    • Asthma medications help in the reduction of inflammation caused by triggers.

      As stated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, asthma can be controlled by taking medicine and avoiding the triggers that can cause an attack.

    Warning

    • Asthma can be a life-threatening disease if not properly managed. In 2005, 3,884 deaths were attributed to asthma. More adult sufferers died than children (American Lung Association).

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