The impact of active smoking on asthma control among high school students in the eastern of Algeria

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Asthma and tobacco are a global health problem. The combination of the two is dangerous, especially for adolescents. <bold>Objective:</bold> the aim of this study is to determine the impact of active smoking on asthma among high school students, as well as to describe their smoking behavior. <bold>Methods:</bold> The epidemiological study was prospective and cross-sectional, involving 568 asthmatic high school students aged 14 to 20 years, carried out in the commune of Setif (Algeria). We studied the impact of active tobacco smoking by analyzing data on smokers and their smoking behavior, collected via questionnaires during face to face interviews. <bold>Results:</bold> the average age: 16.85 ± 1.26 years for boys and 17.21 ± 1.318 years for girls. The mean age of initiation was 15 years. 54.9% of smokers had poorly controlled asthma (p-value < 0.001). Coughing was more frequent in smokers (p: 0.027), as were exacerbations: 82% of smokers versus 53% in non-smokers with an OR at 4.2 [2.6-6.7]. Concerning hospitalization for asthma exacerbation, we did not find a significant difference according to smoking status (OR 1.4). The ACT asthma control study revealed that 55% of smokers have poorly controlled asthma (p-value < 0.001) <bold>Conclusion:</bold> tobacco Smoking constitutes a potential risk factor in the worsening of asthma and requires the development of a personalized smoking cessation program in the structures's transition. <bold>ACT:</bold> Asthma Control Test <bold>OR:</bold> Odds Ratio