Following World Asthma Day, the Tuscarawas County Health Department reminds individuals about their smoking cessation program.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes inflammation and narrowing in the small airways of the lungs. A number of things can trigger asthma, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and sprays.
Health Educator Lana (Lawn-ah) Schrock adds that tobacco smoke can also be an irritant.
“For people with asthma, secondhand cigarette smoke can trigger the worsening of asthma symptoms and also if you do have asthma and you smoke that’s also not very good for your health, and it can lead to worsening asthma symptoms and also lead to asthma medication being ineffective.”
Schrock points out that quitting tobacco can prevent asthma and be a benefit for those with the condition.
“This is a great chance to be mindful of yourself and your own health habits but also how our health habits effect people around us cause we may not even think about how the things we’re doing can negatively impact someone else’s health conditions.”
Anyone wanting to stop smoking can go to www.tchdnow.org or contact the Ohio Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).
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