Secondhand smoke is a well-known asthma trigger If you smoke, consider quitting, especially if your child has asthma. Secondhand smoke can damage the lungs, leading to long-term breathing problems or worsening existing breathing problems.

Kids with asthma who live in households with smokers:

• may have flare-ups more often
• are more likely to have to go the emergency department with severe asthma flare-ups
• are more likely to miss school because of their asthma
• must take more asthma medicine
• have asthma that's harder to control, even with medication

Even children who don't have asthma are at risk of problems if their parents smoke. These kids are more likely to get upper respiratory infections and develop lung conditions, including asthma. Just being exposed to smoke from 10 cigarettes per day may put children at risk of developing asthma, even if they've never had any breathing problems before.

And here's the best reason of all to quit smoking: Children whose parents smoke are more likely to smoke themselves when they get older.

You don't have to quit on your own. Talk to your doctor about possible strategies — from support groups to medication. If you do continue smoking, don't smoke in the house or car.

The Asthma Control Program at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human services is committed to improve the quality of life for all Montanans with asthma. 

The Montana Asthma Control Program supports:

• Surveillance of asthma and related risk factors in Montana
• Partnerships to increase the reach and efficacy of asthma control efforts statewide
• Quality improvement measures that increase the level of asthma related health care in the state
• School and workplace interventions that create asthma friendly spaces and support the unique needs of persons with asthma
• Environmental interventions that reduce asthma triggers such as tobacco smoke, mold and pests
• Self management education that empowers patients to take control of their disease

• Policy development related to asthma in Montana