"The study found 22 percent of the kids with asthma smoked, while only 12 percent of kids without asthma smoked," said allergist Bradley Chipps, MD, ACAAI Fellow, and asthma expert. "The researchers discovered that curiosity about cigarette smoking is the main reason why kids with asthma start smoking. They then develop a greater dependence (22 percent) to nicotine compared to kids the same age who don't have asthma (12 percent)." Dr. Chipps was not involved with the study.Yes, well that's because it does.
The study examined more than 3,300 questionnaires from adolescents between 13-19 years of age. Two groups were formed -- those with asthma and those without. The data from the questionnaires revealed teens with asthma who began smoking before 11 years of age continue smoking because they believe the habit lessens their anxiety and stress.
Nicotine is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory and reduces the symptoms of mild respiratory infections, especially anxiety.
First hand smoke does not have the same deleterious effects as second hand smoke. The particles in smoke trigger asthma, but the nicotine suppresses it.
I grew up with a smoker, had pretty severe asthma as a child- and it went away when I started smoking at 13. It truly did.
Smoking eventually destroyed my mouth... but that's another topic for another day.
For the record: Narcoleptics are also almost twice as likely to smoke.
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