Asthma cigarettes that contained crushed and dried herbs from the nightshade family called solanaceae.
Powder that was set on fire then inhaled through an inverted funnel or lamp.
A medical journal ad for asthmanefrin.
Asthma cigarettes that contained crushed and dried herbs from the nightshade family called solanaceae.
Cigarettes For Asthma
In the past, US doctors prescribed medicinal cigarettes for asthma, thinking they opened airways, but it became evident that smoking exacerbated respiratory conditions. The medical community shifted towards evidence-based treatments like inhalers. Today, smoking is strongly discouraged for asthma patients due to its potential to worsen symptoms.
Medicinal cigarettes disproportionately harmed asthma sufferers, despite the belief they offered relief. This practice likely impacted marginalized groups, lacking access to alternatives. Certain companies exploited this belief, marketing cigarettes to vulnerable communities despite evidence of harm, perpetuating respiratory issues and health disparities. Presently, healthcare providers vehemently advise against smoking, particularly for asthma patients, emphasizing the well-documented risks.
Sources:
Asthma management. Virtual Museum. (n.d.). https://museum.aarc.org/galleries/asthma-management/
Beeler, C. (2010, February 9). From “Medicinal” to dangerous: Cigarettes through the years. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2010/02/cig_ads.html
Brunette, M. F., Halenar, M. J., Edwards, K. C., Taylor, K. A., Emond, J. A., Tanski, S. E., Woloshin, S., Paulin, L. M., Hyland, A., Lauten, K., Mahoney, M., Blanco, C., Borek, N., DaSilva, L. C., Gardner, L. D., Kimmel, H. L., & Sargent, J. D. (2023, February). Association between tobacco product use and asthma among us adults from the population assessment of tobacco and Health (PATH) Study waves 2-4. BMJ open respiratory research. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9906250/
CBS Interactive. (2014, July 27). Outrageous vintage cigarette ads. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/outrageous-vintage-cigarette-ads/7/
Jackson, M. (2010, April). “Divine stramonium”: The rise and fall of smoking for asthma. Medical history. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2844275/#:~:text=Smoking%20medicated%20cigarettes%20and%20burning,and%20other%20substances%2C%20including%20tobacco.