Secondhand Smoke & Asthma Triggers | Vermont Department of Health
Source: http://healthvermont.gov/wellness/asthma-lung-disease/secondhand-smoke-asthma-triggers
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:18
Secondhand Smoke & Asthma Triggers | Vermont Department of Health
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Translations for you
Secondhand Smoke & Asthma Triggers
Asthma & Lung Disease
Asthma Basics
Asthma Self-Management Education
Asthma-friendly Schools
School Nurse Asthma Resources
Secondhand Smoke & Asthma Triggers
Using the Vermont Asthma Action Plan
State Partners
Breathe Easier: Protect Yourself from Secondhand Smoke & Asthma Triggers
There is no safe exposure to secondhand smoke or e-cigarette emissions. In fact, smoke of all types is a common trigger for people with asthma, especially children and babies.
Breathing just a small amount of secondhand smoke that contains thousands of chemicals can cause a severe asthma attack. Emissions from vaping contain ultrafine particles, metals and toxins that are known to trigger an asthma attack.
The good news? Simple steps help limit your exposure and breathe easier.
How to Reduce Your Risk
Keep Your Home Smoke- and Vape-Free:
Make your home 100% smoke- and vape-free—even smoking near open windows lets toxins in.>
Smoke and vape chemicals can cling to clothing, so store worn items separately and ask visitors to leave belongings outside.
Designate a smoking or vaping area outdoors away from entryways and family spaces, with sealed bins for butts.
When moving, consider smoke- and vape-free housing.
Never allow smoking or vaping inside your vehicle—even with the windows down.
It is illegal to smoke or vape in a car with a child under 8.
Replace your ashtray with spare change or gum to resist the urge to smoke.
Store your cigarettes and vaping supplies in your trunk when driving to make them less accessible.
Remind passengers not to smoke or vape in your car to protect everyone’s health.
Minimize Exposure in Public:
Avoid areas where people commonly smoke or vape, including outdoor seating and building entrances.
Visit smoke-free businesses, restaurants, and public spaces that prioritize clean air policies.
Stand upwind of people who are smoking to avoid inhaling secondhand smoke.
Ask for smoke-free policies in your workplaces—speak with employers to encourage smoke-free rules to protect everyone from exposure.
Avoid Scents and Fragrances That Can Trigger an Attack:
Avoid scents and fragrances like perfumes, scented candles, air fresheners, essential oils, purifiers and cleaning products.
Use fragrance-free alternatives.
Quit Smoking and Vaping:
Quitting smoking or vaping is the most powerful step you can take for your health and the health of your family. Free help is available to make quitting easier and more successful.
Seek free support from
802Quits.org
, which offers coaching, nicotine replacement therapy, and quit rewards up to $250.
Set a quit date and remove cigarettes, vaping supplies and triggers from your environment.
Talk to a health care provider about medications or other strategies that can help you quit for good.
Important Links
Secondhand Smoke
Next Steps for Taking on Asthma
Learn more about asthma triggers
Download the asthma triggers brochure
Download the asthma triggers brochure
Asthma Triggers in the Home
Around a third (35%) of people in Vermont with asthma are exposed to more than four asthma triggers at home. They contribute to high rates of uncontrolled asthma in both children and adults leading to missed school and workdays, and costly emergency events.
Explore this interactive tool to identify asthma triggers in your home. Start by finding and removing 1-2 triggers—small changes can lead to big improvements in your health!
802Quits: FREE Help to Quit Smoking or Vaping
Personalized coaching & quit plans
Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges) delivered to your door
Earn up to $250 in quit rewards
Visit 802Quits.org
or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for support
FAQs on Asthma
What is Asthma and Who Has It?
Asthma is a chronic (long-term) disease in which the lungs become inflamed, and airways narrow and react to "triggers”. Asthma can impact anyone.
What Causes Asthma, or an Asthma Attack?
It is not clearly known why or how people develop asthma. However, it is evident that few things can cause asthma, like:
Family history of asthma
Respiratory infections in young children
Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and the first years of life
Occupational exposures
House dust mites
Air pollution or cockroach
Tobacco smoke and e-cigarette emissions
Dust, pet dander, pests (like cockroaches and mice), pollen and mold and strong fumes.
Viral infections
Cold weather
What should you do if you think you or a loved one has asthma?
Reduce triggers
Monitor your or your loved one’s symptoms
See your doctor if any symptoms occur.
For more information on asthma
Vermont Department of Health Asthma Program
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Fill out an Asthma Action Plan with your (or your child’s) health care provider
Asthma and Allergy Network
Topics:
Asthma
|
Chronic Disease
|
Quit Smoking or Tobacco
Last Updated:
December 12, 2025
Skip to main content
MENU
x
CLOSE
Translations for you
Secondhand Smoke & Asthma Triggers
Asthma & Lung Disease
Asthma Basics
Asthma Self-Management Education
Asthma-friendly Schools
School Nurse Asthma Resources
Secondhand Smoke & Asthma Triggers
Using the Vermont Asthma Action Plan
State Partners
Breathe Easier: Protect Yourself from Secondhand Smoke & Asthma Triggers
There is no safe exposure to secondhand smoke or e-cigarette emissions. In fact, smoke of all types is a common trigger for people with asthma, especially children and babies.
Breathing just a small amount of secondhand smoke that contains thousands of chemicals can cause a severe asthma attack. Emissions from vaping contain ultrafine particles, metals and toxins that are known to trigger an asthma attack.
The good news? Simple steps help limit your exposure and breathe easier.
How to Reduce Your Risk
Keep Your Home Smoke- and Vape-Free:
Make your home 100% smoke- and vape-free—even smoking near open windows lets toxins in.>
Smoke and vape chemicals can cling to clothing, so store worn items separately and ask visitors to leave belongings outside.
Designate a smoking or vaping area outdoors away from entryways and family spaces, with sealed bins for butts.
When moving, consider smoke- and vape-free housing.
Never allow smoking or vaping inside your vehicle—even with the windows down.
It is illegal to smoke or vape in a car with a child under 8.
Replace your ashtray with spare change or gum to resist the urge to smoke.
Store your cigarettes and vaping supplies in your trunk when driving to make them less accessible.
Remind passengers not to smoke or vape in your car to protect everyone’s health.
Minimize Exposure in Public:
Avoid areas where people commonly smoke or vape, including outdoor seating and building entrances.
Visit smoke-free businesses, restaurants, and public spaces that prioritize clean air policies.
Stand upwind of people who are smoking to avoid inhaling secondhand smoke.
Ask for smoke-free policies in your workplaces—speak with employers to encourage smoke-free rules to protect everyone from exposure.
Avoid Scents and Fragrances That Can Trigger an Attack:
Avoid scents and fragrances like perfumes, scented candles, air fresheners, essential oils, purifiers and cleaning products.
Use fragrance-free alternatives.
Quit Smoking and Vaping:
Quitting smoking or vaping is the most powerful step you can take for your health and the health of your family. Free help is available to make quitting easier and more successful.
Seek free support from
802Quits.org
, which offers coaching, nicotine replacement therapy, and quit rewards up to $250.
Set a quit date and remove cigarettes, vaping supplies and triggers from your environment.
Talk to a health care provider about medications or other strategies that can help you quit for good.
Important Links
Secondhand Smoke
Next Steps for Taking on Asthma
Learn more about asthma triggers
Download the asthma triggers brochure
Download the asthma triggers brochure
Asthma Triggers in the Home
Around a third (35%) of people in Vermont with asthma are exposed to more than four asthma triggers at home. They contribute to high rates of uncontrolled asthma in both children and adults leading to missed school and workdays, and costly emergency events.
Explore this interactive tool to identify asthma triggers in your home. Start by finding and removing 1-2 triggers—small changes can lead to big improvements in your health!
802Quits: FREE Help to Quit Smoking or Vaping
Personalized coaching & quit plans
Nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges) delivered to your door
Earn up to $250 in quit rewards
Visit 802Quits.org
or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for support
FAQs on Asthma
What is Asthma and Who Has It?
Asthma is a chronic (long-term) disease in which the lungs become inflamed, and airways narrow and react to "triggers”. Asthma can impact anyone.
What Causes Asthma, or an Asthma Attack?
It is not clearly known why or how people develop asthma. However, it is evident that few things can cause asthma, like:
Family history of asthma
Respiratory infections in young children
Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and the first years of life
Occupational exposures
House dust mites
Air pollution or cockroach
Tobacco smoke and e-cigarette emissions
Dust, pet dander, pests (like cockroaches and mice), pollen and mold and strong fumes.
Viral infections
Cold weather
What should you do if you think you or a loved one has asthma?
Reduce triggers
Monitor your or your loved one’s symptoms
See your doctor if any symptoms occur.
For more information on asthma
Vermont Department of Health Asthma Program
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
Fill out an Asthma Action Plan with your (or your child’s) health care provider
Asthma and Allergy Network
Topics:
Asthma
|
Chronic Disease
|
Quit Smoking or Tobacco
Last Updated:
December 12, 2025