Study Shows that Smoking was Behind Acute Asthma Attack

14th February 2008 – Smoke from cigarettes can cause a number of deadly smoking-related diseases. However, smoking can also cause sudden death. In a Michigan bar, a 19-year old girl died on the spot due to an asthma attack shocked the world. She was a happy person and had worked in the bar for several months before this incident happened.

According to the autopsy, the woman who worked as a waitress in a bar in Michigan died due to an acute asthma attack that was caused by second hand cigarette smoke, shortly after arriving at her job. Researchers said that it was the first reported case of an immediate death caused by second hand smoke.

Expert opinions

Dr. Kenneth Rosenman, a Michigan State University professor said, “She didn’t have any other possible known causes of death.” He also said, “This is a very dramatic case. The other associations have been with chronic exposure. This is the first time someone dropped dead right there.”

This confirms the belief of researchers that death was due to passive smoking, as cigarette smoke is known to trigger acute asthma attacks. Rosenman said, “We know that particulate levels from second hand cigarette smoke in bars like this reach sufficient levels to set off an asthma attack.”

He further said, “She was perfectly fine when she went to work.” According to him, the woman was a student who had a job at a fast-food restaurant, and worked a second job as a waitress at the bar.

Rosenman did not want to disclose the name of the woman or the precise place and time of her death for privacy reasons. He said, “After about 15 minutes, she had an acute asthma attack and collapsed on the floor. The autopsy clearly indicates she died from asthma.”

Smoking ban

This case is reported in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. The report has come at a time when the Michigan House of Representative wants to pass a regulation to ban smoking in bars and restaurants but unable to due to stalling in the state Senate. 24 US states have banned smoking in public places including bars. But other states including Michigan are considering about a similar ban. It is believed that ban on smoking could prevent future deaths.

However, not everyone is happy about the ban and The Michigan Restaurant Association is the first to oppose. According to Andy Deloney, vice president of public affairs, owners should be allowed to decide for themselves and the patron can choose between smoking and non-smoking places.

According to the American Lung Association, second hand smoke causes about 3,400 lung cancer deaths and 46,000 heart disease deaths in adult non-smokers in the United States each year.

Brief description

A woman dies due to an acute asthma attack triggered due to second hand smoke from cigarettes.