Asthma triggers: tobacco smoke

When a person inhales tobacco smoke, irritating substances settle in the moist lining of the airways and can set off asthma attacks. The smoke causes the lungs to make more mucus than usual and damages the tiny hairlike projections in the airways called "cilia" that normally sweep dust and mucus out of the airways. As a result, mucus and other irritating substances build up in the airways. In fact, people with asthma who smoke often have ongoing symptoms despite medical treatment.

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Second-hand smoke is dangerous, too. The combination of smoke from a burning cigarette and a smoker's exhalations (also called passive smoke or environmental tobacco smoke) contains more harmful tar, carbon monoxide, nicotine, and other substances than what a smoker inhales directly.

There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself or your child from tobacco smoke:

• If you smoke, quit. If your spouse or other family members smoke, help them understand the dangers of smoking and encourage them to quit. Ask your healthcare provider to help you find the stop-smoking method that works best for you.
• Do not allow smoking in your home or your car.
• Do not permit your child's caregiver to smoke.
• Avoid restaurants and public places that permit smoking.