Asthma Home>Addictions>Substance_Abuse>Tobacco>Secondhand_Smoke>Health_Risks>Asthma     Web Pages Secondhand Smoke Causes Women Decreased Lung Function Secondhand smoke causes decreased lung function in women, especially women with asthma, according to a recent study. Respiratory Effects of Secondhand Smoke in a Panel Study of Asthmatic and Symptomatic Children Exposure to secondhand smoke was associated with a decline in peak flow and increases in respiratory symptoms and use of bronchodilator drugs among asthmatic children. Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Asthma Research paper concludes that children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to develop asthma later in life. Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke: Respiratory Disease Provides a bibliography of research on the effect of secondhand smoke on asthma, respiratory infections, and so on.