Effects of tobacco smoke exposure in childhood on atopic diseases

Although the smoking prevalence in the United States continues to decline since the Surgeon General's first report in 1964, certain vulnerable populations continue to be disproportionately affected by the adverse consequences of tobacco smoke exposure. Children are particularly vulnerable to exposure and are likely to suffer from both short- and long-term adverse consequences after early life tobacco smoke exposure. An overwhelming amount of evidence supports an association between asthma development and tobacco smoke exposure, and evidence is mounting that tobacco smoke exposure may also increase risk of IgE sensitization. This manuscript will review the effects of tobacco smoke exposure in childhood on the development of asthma and allergic sensitization, and will review practical strategies to assist motivated parents with smoking cessation.