Asthmatics are at greater risk of developing irreversible airway damage from smoking.
When smoking increases asthmatic symptoms, medication requirements increase. Smokers are then exposed to additional risks of medication that otherwise may not be needed. Even with the additional medication, control of asthma may be difficult to attain while smoking. Therefore, asthmatics should not smoke. If they do, they should not expect the degree of success from medical management attainable for nonsmokers, and they must personally accept the possible risks of medication that might otherwise be needed.