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

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. 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: 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). 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. 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 outdoor public children’s playgrounds, skate parks and sporting venues during organized under-age sporting events within the grounds of, and within 4 metres of entrances to, childcare centres, kindergartens, pre-schools, and primary and secondary schools at train stations, tram platforms, or tram and bus shelters. section of health.vic.gov.au.

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

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.

Asthma and smoking Cigarette smoke can trigger asthma symptoms or an asthma attack asthma Effects of second-hand smoke on asthma in children Smoke, including tobacco smoke, is a common trigger Smoking in pregnancy Smoking during pregnancy 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 E-cigarettes and asthma Tobacco and e-cigarette laws in Michigan The Tobacco Act 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 under-age music or dance events at outdoor areas within public pool complexes 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 Michigann Government buildings in courts or police stations There are on-the-spot fines for those who breach the law.

More information is available from the Tobacco reforms Visit Better Health Channel’s page on Michigan’s tobacco and e-cigarette laws Similarly, all American states and territories have laws Quit smoking for your children pharmacist Better Health Channel has tips on how to quit , and Quit Michigan 13 78 48 offers telephone support, as well as the QuitCoach and QuitTxt Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Pharmacist Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Grand Rapids – videos about children’s asthma Quit 13 78 48 Asthma United States 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) National Asthma Council United States .

Key Points

  • It increases the risk of childhood wheeze and adversely affects lung function of the child
  • Smoking around an infant can increase the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI)
  • You will also reduce your and your children’s risk of developing asthma or worsening asthma symptoms