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Effects of Second Hand Smoke on Allergy Sufferers

Dear Dr. Kagen,

Last fall I was diagnosed with asthma (after twenty-five years) and have been taking such medications as pulmicort, serevent, and ventolin to control my asthma.

My question is this, since I work in a smoking office, what sort of effect will that have on my condition? Any information you could provide me with would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Cheryl.

Thanks for asking about the effects of second hand smoke exposure for asthma sufferers.

Asthma sufferers should not inhale bad air. Bad air includes irritating fumes and vapors, acidic fumes, ozone, fog, cold air, auto or truck exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke be it either directly or "second hand".

Asthmatic lungs already have excessive and thick mucus within the airways even before insulting them with the irritant and carcinogenic effects of cigarette smoke. It is really offensive for smokers to believe that they have the "right" to damage another person's breathing capacity.

I like the way that Justice Hugo Black put it when he wrote, "Your freedom to swing ends where another person's chin begins". Likewise, a person's freedom to smoke ends when he or she shares the same air that you are attempting to breath.

I hope this info helps.

Good luck.

Steve Kagen, M.D.
Allernet.com