Second-Hand Smoke and Breathing Problems

Smoking and its effects

When you smoke, you inhale and exhale burning tobacco fumes. The smoke fills your lungs before being exhaled. Smoking can lead to asthma and cancer, and not just in smokers. Secondhand smoke affects smokers and nonsmokers alike.

Asthma

The people around you can be harmed by secondhand smoke - whether you are smoking a cigarette, cigar or pipe. Secondhand smoke can lead to asthma in nonsmokers and and can trigger asthma attacks. The throat may start to close, making it hard to breathe. People with asthma may have to use emergency inhalers to control flareups from secondhand smoke.

Emphysema

Secondhand smoke can damage the lungs and lead to long-term breathing problems. It can cause shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. When someone with emphysema breathes in secondhand smoke, a sticky mucus can fill the person's airway, making it hard to breathe. Many people with emphysema need oxygen machines to help them breathe. No one should ever smoke around an oxygen tank because it could cause the tank to explode.

Breathing Problems in Children

Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome. Children who breathe in secondhand smoke often have more upper respiratory, nose and eye infections than other children.

References

• KidsHealth: Smoking and Asthma
• WebMD: Smoking Cessation Health Center