Asthma Australia recently released new information explaining the link between asthma and smoking. Asthma is a condition that affects the airways and makes it difficult to breathe.

One of the most common triggers is cigarette smoke. Smoking can trigger asthma not only in the person that smokes, but also in the people around them, including family members, friends, and work colleagues. It can even harm unborn children.

If someone with asthma smokes, it has the potential to make their asthma worse by increasing the severity of symptoms and the frequency of asthma flare-ups, and by reducing the effect of preventer medications. Passive smoking, which means exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke, can impact children in particularly harmful ways. It puts them at risk of developing asthma, makes them more prone to respiratory infections, reduces lung function, and increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Asthma Australia supports those trying to quit smoking.

Their advice is:

• Speak to your doctor about medications that help you quit

• Call the Quitline on 137 848 for information about quitting, or talk to a counsellor

• Call 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) to speak to an asthma educator

To find more information about the connection between smoking and asthma visit www.asthma.org.au/about-asthma/triggers/cigarette-smoke