How can smoking impact upper respiratory health?

• A. It reduces allergic reactions and symptoms
• B. It decreases healing and increases infection risk
• C. It has no impact on respiratory health
• D. It improves symptoms of respiratory distress

Answer: (B)

Smoking introduces irritants into the upper airways, damaging the lining and the cilia that normally clear pathogens. This reduces mucociliary clearance, leads to mucus buildup, and makes infections more likely. It also impairs immune responses and decreases tissue blood flow, slowing healing after infections or injuries. So, smoking both decreases healing and increases infection risk, which is why that option best describes its impact. Smoking does not protect against allergies, and it tends to worsen respiratory symptoms rather than improve them, so the other statements aren’t supported by how smoking affects the airways.