Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs and can affect people of all ages, but usually starts in childhood. During an asthma episode, the inside airways of your lungs become sore and swollen causing chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing. As the lining of the airways swells more mucus is produced and airway muscles react to environmental triggers and cause the airways to tighten.   Approximately 22.2 million Americans currently have asthma and it is the most common chronic illness in children affecting 8.9% of children 17 yrs old and under.

Impact of Tobacco on Asthma

• Tobacco smoke triggers asthma attacks in nearly 80% of people with asthma.
• Smoking or exposure to cigarette smoke can increase asthma symptoms.
• Exposure to tobacco smoke in the workplace increases risk of developing asthma.
• One hour of exposure to cigarette smoke causes 20% deterioration in short-term lung function

Smokers vs. Nonsmokers

• Smokers have more severe asthma attacks
• The asthma death rate among smokers is more than double that of nonsmokers

Effects on Children with Asthma

• Children whose mothers smoke during pregnancy have a higher risk of developing asthma.
• Smoking more than 10 cigarettes a day while pregnant is associated with higher rates of asthma.
• An estimated 400,000 to 1 million children with asthma will experience a worsening of their condition when exposed to secondhand smoke.

(Courtesy Utah Asthma Program)