Respiratory Care Settings and Smoking Cessation
Smoking Causes Respiratory Diseases
Cigarette smoking has long been linked to adverse effects on the respiratory system, causing malignant and nonmalignant diseases, exacerbating chronic lung diseases and increasing the risk for respiratory infections.
Research shows that smoking causes:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), resulting in about 8 in 10 COPD-related deaths in the U.S.
- Asthma exacerbation in adults
- Increased risk of tuberculosis disease and mortality
- Respiratory symptoms, including cough, wheeze, phlegm, and dyspnea
- Acute respiratory illness, including pneumonia
- Reduced lung function and impaired lung growth in childhood and adolescence
Additionally, research suggests that smoking may cause idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, recurrent tuberculosis disease, asthma exacerbation in adolescents, and increased incidence of asthma in adolescents and adults.
Secondhand smoke exposure causes respiratory symptoms, impaired lung function, and lower-respiratory illnesses in children and may cause respiratory symptoms, COPD, and the incidence of adult-onset asthma.
Cigarette smoking has long been linked to adverse effects on the respiratory system, causing malignant and nonmalignant diseases, exacerbating chronic lung diseases and increasing the risk for respiratory infections.
Research shows that smoking causes:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), resulting in about 8 in 10 COPD-related deaths in the U.S.
- Asthma exacerbation in adults
- Increased risk of tuberculosis disease and mortality
- Respiratory symptoms, including cough, wheeze, phlegm, and dyspnea
- Acute respiratory illness, including pneumonia
- Reduced lung function and impaired lung growth in childhood and adolescence
Additionally, research suggests that smoking may cause idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, recurrent tuberculosis disease, asthma exacerbation in adolescents, and increased incidence of asthma in adolescents and adults.
Secondhand smoke exposure causes respiratory symptoms, impaired lung function, and lower-respiratory illnesses in children and may cause respiratory symptoms, COPD, and the incidence of adult-onset asthma.
Smoking Cessation Improves Lung Health
Smoking cessation is one of the most important actions people who smoke can take to improve their health and reduce their risk for COPD. This is true for all people who smoke, regardless of age or smoking duration and intensity. The health benefits also extend to patients already diagnosed with COPD.
The respiratory benefits of smoking cessation include:
- Reduces the risk of developing COPD.
- Among those with COPD, slows the progression of COPD and reduces the loss of lung function over time.
- Reduces risk of cancers in the respiratory system.
- Reduces respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, sputum production, wheezing).
- Reduces respiratory infections (e.g., bronchitis, pneumonia).
- Research suggests cessation may improve lung function, reduce symptoms, and improve treatment outcomes among persons with asthma.
Resources for Respiratory Care Teams
- CDC resources available at cdc.gov/TobaccoHCP:
- Million Hearts Resources:
- Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, Clinical Practice Guideline: 2008 Update
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Tobacco Smoking Cessation in Adults, Including Pregnant Women: Behavioral and Pharmacotherapy Interventions
