UNAIR NEWS – As it is known, smoking damages people’s health. The negative risks of smoking equally impact active and passive smokers.

The toxic chemicals in tobacco may harm everyone, including elders, adults, teenagers, children, and toddlers. Several weeks ago, a case of an eleven-month infant suffering from bronchitis got viral on the internet. Presumably, the infant’s father is an active smoker.

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lung’s airways. “The main symptom of bronchitis is the persistent cough,” said dr Retno Asih Setyoningrum SpA (K). However, the inflammation begins with upper respiratory problems. “Such as fever, runny nose, mild cough which soon becomes more persistent,” she said.

Virus infections usually cause bronchitis, and in fewer cases, caused by bacteria. In toddlers, bronchitis will cause germs buildup in the respiratory tract, which leads to long-drawn bronchitis.

Exposure to cigarette smoke will increase the risk of bronchitis in toddlers. “A lot of research proves that passive smoke exposure will increase the risk of bronchitis,” said the lecturer of Universitas Airlangga Faculty of Medicine (FK).

“Cigarette smoke exposure will also aggravate the condition by reducing the respiratory tract defenses,” she added.

The cigarettes in question are not limited to tobacco cigarettes. Electric cigarettes (vapor) have equal risks as any other ones. “Vapor has the same risks as tobacco cigarettes,” she said. Vehicle exhaust smoke and other pollutant smoke were also added to the list.

Bronchitis may occur repeatedly if the problem root remains. “Bronchitis may recur if the risk factors are still there. For instance, recurring virus exposure and pollutants (smoke, ed),” dr Retno said.

Apart from bronchitis, cigarette smoking may also lead to another respiratory disorder. “It is associated with the risk of occurrence and the severity of upper to lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia. Besides, asthma can also be caused by cigarette smoke,” she added.

Author: Icha Nur Imami Puspita

Editor: Binti Q. Masruroh