The World Health Organization (WHO) has published a new knowledge summary focused on the critical relationship between tobacco use and asthma. This summary sheds light on the significant health impacts of tobacco use on individuals with asthma, emphasizing the need for comprehensive tobacco control measures.
The knowledge summary highlights several key insights. One is that babies born to mothers who smoke tend to have smaller lungs and an increased risk of developing asthma during childhood. A second is that children exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke are at higher risk of developing asthma. Therefore, pregnant women and parents should receive targeted support to quit tobacco use to protect their children from asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Smoking during adolescence and adulthood increases the risk of developing asthma and exacerbates the condition. For people living with asthma, smoking worsens symptoms and can make treatment with medications less effective. Additionally, second-hand smoke exposure presents significant risks for people with asthma, increasing the likelihood of asthma attacks and complicating asthma management. Avoiding second-hand smoke exposure is essential for the prevention and management of respiratory diseases, especially asthma.
