DOES CIGARETTE SMOKING CAUSE ASTHMA?
No, not directly. Smoking can, however, cause bronchitis that can then lead to wheezing and shortness of breath and for all practical purposes behave just like asthma. We use the term “asthmatic bronchitis” to describe such a condition. Asthmatic bronchitis, when due to cigarettes, differs from asthma in that there is underlying lung damage from prolonged smoke exposure. In such patients lung function is often permanently impaired. By contrast, lungs of true asthmatics (non-smokers) usually show normal function between attacks. Also, patients with asthmatic bronchitis (when due to cigarette smoking) can go on to develop emphysema; as far as is known emphysema does not occur in true asthmatics unless they also smoke (emphysema is actual destruction of lung tissue see Section G). WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA? Occupational asthma is asthma that results directly from inhaling dusts or fumes at the work place. Occupational asthma is a condition caused by the job. A worker with pre-existing a
