Cigarette smoke can trigger worsening asthma symptoms or an asthma attack in some people. Children are particularly sensitive to tobacco smoke as their lungs are smaller and more delicate and are still developing. Passive smoking is breathing in other people’s cigarette smoke. Children who live with smokers have higher rates of asthma than children living with non-smokers.
Passive smoking
Around 40 per cent of children under 14 years with asthma live with smokers and are likely to be exposed to passive smoke. This may be the smoke exhaled by smokers or smoke from the burning end of a cigarette. It is estimated that children of parents who smoke are exposed to the same amount of nicotine as if they were actively smoking 60 to 150 cigarettes a year.
Effects of passive smoking on asthma in children
Studies show that a child with asthma has more frequent and more severe asthma attacks if exposed to smoke. In fact, children with asthma whose parents smoke at home are twice as likely to have asthma symptoms all year long than children of non-smokers. These children are more likely to attend a hospital emergency department with asthma and their recovery time is slower after being in hospital.
Smoking in pregnancy
Studies show that between one in three and one in five mothers smoke during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy can severely affect the developing baby, increasing the risks of many conditions including:
- Premature birth and stillbirth
- Low birth weight
- Reduced lung growth
- Susceptibility to respiratory illnesses
- Asthma later in life.
Because of these risks, it is important that the mother and all members of the household do not smoke.
Smoking in the family car
Smoking in the family car increases exposure of both adults and children to passive smoking in an enclosed space. This is unhealthy and can trigger an attack in children who have asthma.
In Victoria, from 1 January 2010, it is illegal to smoke in cars carrying children under 18 years of age.
Give up for your kids
Most smokers find it difficult to quit since one of the ingredients of cigarette smoke, nicotine, is powerfully addictive. You might find nicotine patches, inhalers or gum to be helpful.
A strong motivator is the knowledge that every cigarette you smoke is damaging to your children. Giving up cigarettes is one of the best things you can do for their health and wellbeing.
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Your pharmacist
- Quit Tel. 131 848
- The Asthma Foundation of Victoria Tel. 1800 645 130 or (03) 9326 7088
Things to remember
- Cigarette smoke can trigger asthma in children.
- Exposure to smoke may cause more frequent and more severe asthma attacks in children with asthma.
- Avoid smoking in the car and ask your passengers to do the same.
You might also be interested in:
Asthma.
Asthma and pregnancy.
Asthma and smoking.
Asthma and young children.
Asthma facts.
Coughing and wheezing in children.
Passive smoking.
Want to know more?
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