Especially Vulnerable Populations
• Asthmatics. Mainstream or Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) exacerbates asthma symptoms in
known asthmatics. In addition, some studies have shown a link between ETS in childhood and a
higher prevalence of asthma in adulthood.79
• Infants and Children. Infants and children exposed to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) are at
increased risk for death and disease. Mothers who smoke during pregnancy are known to have low
birth-weight babies. In breastfeeding women who smoke, there is a decrease in maternal milk
production and less weight gain in the exposed infant.80 In addition, infants whose mothers smoke
have an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDS), and their overall perinatal mortality
rate is 25 to 56 percent higher than those infants of mothers who choose not to smoke.81 Children
exposed to ETS are at increased risk of many infections, most commonly middle ear and respiratory
infections, and thus require more doctor visits and hospital stays.
• Sickle Cell Patients. Patients with sickle cell anemia who smoke are known to have increased
incidence of Acute Chest Syndrome.82 Acute Chest syndrome is a condition that presents with
severe chest pain, and is a life-threatening emergency.
Conclusion
While some of these effects are wholly or partially reversible upon quitting smoking, research has shown
that many are not. Quitting smoking provides enormous health benefits, but some smoking-caused
damage simply cannot be reversed.83 Moreover, many of the effects outlined here can cause
considerable harm to kids and others soon after they begin smoking and well before they become longterm
smokers.