The current NCI study makes many points that are important for smoking and nonsmoking parents alike to understand. That's important to know if a child with asthma is visiting someone who smokes. However, I'm not sure the evidence is as strong in saying secondhand smoke can cause a child to have asthma in the first place. This report acknowledges these data are somewhat questionable. Secondhand smoke can also lead to an increase in lung infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia in children.
Smoking affects the unborn as well.
What is very alarming is what happens in the uterus to a developing baby when a pregnant woman smokes. This study brings to light the connections between smoking and an increase in sudden infant death syndrome, decrease in fetal growth and now a decrease in lung size and function. These have implications that can last a lifetime and are very important. The absolute best solution is to stop smoking altogether if you are a smoker. The absolute best solution is to stop smoking altogether if you are a smoker.