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My mom smokes in the bathroom in my room and thinks that because there's a small window, I can't smell it (but my aunt can smell it at her side of the house. She smokes around me in the car too. I'm 16 and she's been doing it since I was born. I have asthma also. My doctors have told her for the past like 6 or 7 years not to smoke around me (at one point, I was in the hospital 3 and 4 days a week for asthma attacks). She's got trouble walking from a car wreck so it's trouble to make her go outside but I can't take this anymore. I'm starting to develop a bad cough (not like an asthma cough or sick cough either) and I get winded easily because there's usually always smoke in my room. It gives me constant headaches and stuff too. How can I make her stop smoking around me? Also what could my cough be and what can I do about it? Thanks.I'm 16! I can't move out as I can't legally rent an apartment. Also I do pay my bills, thank you very much.

I can imagine what you are going through--and I am not being insensitive to your question. And since you have had asthma for years, and you know what it feels like to be ill, what exactly do you want us to do? You can even pretend to have a wheezing attack (down on the floor and blue in the face), she's not going to quit. Every time she lights one up, it's like she hits you on the head (I'm sure you have told her that). When the time is right, move out. I'm quite serious about this.

You are far from any danger. I live in Reno NV and we smoke here all over the place. Waitresses work in a smoke filled environment for 20-30 years with no problem at all. You have been subjected to anti smoking propaganda. the fear will do you more damage than a little smoke in the air-stress. You would have to be in a closed room with no outside ventilation for years to have any real or serious consequenses.