Reasons to quit smoking

If you are a smoker, asthma is just one of many reasons that you should quit smoking. If you quit, you will have fewer symptoms and flare-ups. You will also have less need for medicine, healthcare provider and emergency room visits, and hospital stays. And fewer missed work or school days.

You will have more:

• Symptom-free days

• Time for activities you enjoy

• Energy

Think about all of the reasons you should quit smoking. Make a list of the reasons.

Reasons to quit are:

• __________________________________

• __________________________________

• __________________________________

• __________________________________

Make a plan to quit. One of the first steps is to choose a quit date. It's best to pick a date within the next 2 weeks. Talk with your healthcare provider about ways to make quitting easier. There are many programs available. And there are both prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Secondhand and thirdhand smoke

Secondhand smoke can make your symptoms worse and cause flare-ups. It can also make you more sensitive to other triggers. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even short-term exposure can cause serious health problems. You should not let people smoke in your home or in your car. You should also stay away from any place that allows smoking.

The smoke that sticks to a smoker’s clothes is called thirdhand smoke. This can also cause asthma symptoms. It means that even if someone smokes outdoors and then comes into your home, you may still be exposed to smoke.

If you have asthma, try to stay away from both secondhand and thirdhand smoke.