Does cigarette smoke effect asthma

Absolutely! Cigarette smoke is a notorious asthma trigger.

Dr. James Thompson on this site wrote an in-depth piece about tobacco smoke (either from cigarettes or from "hookahs") and its affects on the lungs, particularly the lungs of asthmatics. I'd give it a read.

In general, asthmatics should steer clear of cigarette smoke -- they should not smoke and they should avoid second-hand smoke.

Of course, it does.  I'm a smoker, but (don't laugh) don't inhale, have never had airway/breathing problems until recently (in my early 60's).  I smoke because it's something to do with my hands, it's a long-term habit, and I have ADHD, and am constantly doing some activity (mostly productive, like working, studying, training dogs, research, etc)  I've also been a jogger/runner for 30 yrs, never any breathing problems, until recently.  After 10 years of being treated for suspected latex allergy (associated with materials at work), I'm now in the process of being diagnosed for asthma.  My whole take on this is:  no, it's not all about cigarette smoke and I think smokers are being scapegoated.  What about air pollution, code red air alerts (I live in a large city), chemicals we are exposed to at work and everywhere else, and the fact that manufacturers are not required to label nor list possible allergens until a significant percentage of the general population has been affected?  If you banned cigarette-smoking, it's my belief that you'd have a population of nervous wrecks who still have allergies and asthma, and I'll volunteer to test that theory, ok?