Asthma, children and smoking

Asthma and smoking

Cigarette smoke

can trigger asthma symptoms or an

asthma attack

in some people.

Children are particularly sensitive to tobacco smoke as their lungs are smaller and more delicate, and are still developing. Children who live with people who smoke have higher rates of

asthma

than children living with people who do not smoke, and their asthma is triggered more often.

Effects of second-hand smoke on asthma in children

Smoke, including tobacco smoke, is a common

trigger

for asthma.

Exposure to second-hand smoke by children with asthma increases the risk of developing symptoms earlier in life, having more symptoms and more asthma flare-ups.

Smoking in pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy

can severely affect the developing baby. It increases the risk of childhood wheeze and adversely affects lung function of the child. It can also increase the risk of other health conditions including:

sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI)

– previously known as ‘sudden infant death syndrome’ (SIDS) or ‘cot death’

miscarriage

stillbirth

complications during birth

having a low-weight baby who is more vulnerable to infection and health problems in adulthood

preterm delivery (birth at less than 37 weeks)

the baby being born with weaker lungs, which may persist into adulthood

the baby having a weaker

immune system

the baby being overweight or

obese in childhood

Smoking by other people around a pregnant person can also affect the unborn baby and may result in lower birth weight of the baby. Smoking around an infant can increase the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

E-cigarettes and asthma

Although e-cigarettes are likely to be less harmful than tobacco cigarettes, they contain potentially toxic chemicals and the short and long-term impact of vaping remains unknown. While we don’t know for sure how e-cigarettes affect asthma and children’s health, it could make asthma worse. It is safer for your child to avoid inhaling anything that could be harmful.

Tobacco and e-cigarette laws in Victoria

The

Tobacco

Act

External Link

makes it illegal to smoke or vape in all enclosed workplaces and many public spaces where people can be exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke or aerosol from an e-cigarette.

The Tobacco Act bans smoking and vaping in more public places than ever before. Specifically, you cannot smoke or vape:

in outdoor dining areas when food is being consumed including cafes, footpath dining, restaurants and pubs, food fairs, community and street festivals

at enclosed restaurants, cafes and dining areas of hotels

at licensed clubs

at shopping centres

in enclosed workplaces

in a motor vehicle, if anyone under 18 is present at patrolled beaches

at outdoor public children’s playgrounds, skate parks and sporting venues during organized under-age sporting events

at under-age music or dance events

at outdoor areas within public pool complexes

within the grounds of, and within 4 metres of entrances to, childcare centres, kindergartens, pre-schools, and primary and secondary schools

within 4 metres of entrances to children’s indoor play centres

within 4 metres of entrances to public hospitals and registered health centres

within 4 metres of entrances to certain Victorian Government buildings

in courts or police stations

at train stations, tram platforms, or tram and bus shelters.

There are on-the-spot fines for those who breach the law. More information is available from the

Tobacco

reforms

External Link

section of health.vic.gov.au.

Visit Better Health Channel’s page on

Victoria’s tobacco and e-cigarette laws

for more information.

Similarly, all

Australian states and territories have

laws

External Link

prohibiting smoking tobacco in cars carrying children of certain ages and in some public places, and laws about e-cigarettes.

Quit smoking for your children

Quitting smoking can be challenging, and you may try more than once before you succeed. But quitting smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health and wellbeing, and your children’s. Talk to your doctor or

pharmacist

External Link

for advice on how to start, and the tools available to you. You might find nicotine patches, inhalers or gum to be helpful.

Better Health Channel has

tips on how to quit

, and

Quit

Victoria

External Link

Tel.

13 78 48

offers telephone support, as well as the

QuitCoach

External Link

and

QuitTxt

External Link

services.

Parents and carers are role models for their children. Once you quit smoking, you will set a great example to the children around you and reduce the chance that they will take up smoking later in life. You will also reduce your and your children’s risk of developing asthma or worsening asthma symptoms.

Where to get help

Your

GP (doctor)

Pharmacist

The Royal Children’s Hospital

Melbourne

External Link

– videos about children’s asthma

Quit

External Link

Tel.

13 78 48

Asthma

Australia

External Link

Tel.

1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462)

National Asthma Council

Australia

External Link