According to the World Health Organization (WHO), babies born to mothers who smoke often have smaller lungs and are susceptible to asthma from a young age. Not only that, children inhaling passive cigarette smoke are also at high risk of asthma.
Therefore, pregnant women and parents need to be supported to stop taking medication to protect their children from dangerous respiratory diseases.
In adolescence and adulthood, smoking increases the risk of asthma. For people with asthma, smoking makes symptoms worse, asthma appears more often, and treatment is less effective. Passive cigarette smoke is similarly harmful, making disease control difficult.
The WHO also warns that e-cigarettes and devices containing nicotine can be as harmful as traditional cigarettes. These products can make asthma symptoms worse and increase the risk of other respiratory diseases.
WHO calls on countries to take stronger tobacco control measures, including:
Smoking is completely prohibited in public places, workplaces and vehicles.
Support withdrawal through consultation, free hotline and supportive medicine.
Raising awareness of the harmful effects of cigarette smoke, especially for pregnant women and children.
