Smoking and exposure to smoke (passive smoking) can damage your lungs, and stop them from working properly.
People with asthma who smoke have more frequent asthma attacks, have more severe asthma, and are more likely to be admitted to hospital. The type of inflammation in the airways that is caused by smoking means they don’t respond as well to preventer medication, and so need higher doses to control their asthma.
Asthmatic children who are exposed to cigarette smoke are more likely to have poor asthma control and more likely to need admission to hospital. Smoke exposure in the car is especially bad and opening the windows does not help.
Smoking has two main effects on the airways:
1) Increases mucus
- more mucus-producing cells and glands grow in the airway walls
- damages and reduces parts of the airways that help to clear mucus
2) Damages the airways
- chemicals in cigarette smoke destroy lung tissue and also make the airways less elastic and therefore more narrow
- causes inflammation in the airways
If I quit smoking will my lung function really improve?
Everybody’s lung function tends to gradually decrease as they age, but the lung function of people who smoke decreases much faster than normal. If you stop smoking, this rate will go back to normal. This means that although the damage done to your airways by smoking cannot be fixed, it’s never too late to quit no matter how long you have smoked for.
Is smoking around children really harmful?
Children are more vulnerable to the bad effects of cigarette smoke.
If a pregnant woman smokes, or a young child is exposed to smoke, the child is at a much greater risk of developing asthma-like symptoms in early childhood. Babies of smoking mothers are four times more likely to develop wheezing illnesses before the age of one. Even if you go outside to have a cigarette, particles can still be present on you when you return indoors, so although it’s better than smoking near your child, it may still affect them in the long term.
Other health issues
Around 15-20% of people who smoke develop permanent lung disease (COPD), and smoking increases the risk of many other health issues: stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer are just a few.
Quitting smoking is difficult, and most people make several attempts before they quit for good. It is usually easier with the right support and information, which can be available from your doctor, pharmacist, or QUIT on 131 848, or www.quitnow.info.au