My Experience With the Stigma of Smoking and Sleep Apnea

What is the "Big Bad Word" that comes with sleep apnea? OK… did I catch your attention? You’re probably wondering what I mean by the big bad word! (Drumroll, please!!) That word would be: smoking. OK now, I know I'm not the only 1 out there with sleep apnea that smoked or smokes. You know either way and are surely aware of the stigma of cigarette smoking with sleep apnea.

My past perception of smoking

Allow me to share my short history lesson about smoking. For much of my life, smoking was the 'thing' to do. It was drilled into my head, even from the government in many different ways. I especially remember Christmas ads. They would suggest you buy a carton of cigarettes for somebody for Christmas. Because that was an excellent way to give a gift along with supporting the economy!! In the past, regular ads even made smoking seem acceptable.

Yep, I'm old!! I remember when you went to the doctor. The doctor would come in and do an exam while smoking a cigarette. Or, doctors would prescribe cigarettes as a way to lose weight. And, on top of all this, cigarette smoking was promoted to be a good way to relax.

At my school cafeteria, our lunch ladies would be smoking while they cooked 90 percent of the time. They would smoke while serving lunch to the schoolchildren!

Stigma of smoking with sleep apnea

But you know now, especially if you're a smoker or a former smoker, there is a serious smoking stigma, especially if you suffer from an illness like sleep apnea. Yep, it can often feel like we're like the scum of the earth!! 

To me, it seems like smokers, even after quitting, are blamed for causing everybody's breathing problems. Or at least we're made to feel responsible for them, I feel, in my opinion. And yes, that is a real stigma!! But, nobody wants to talk about toxic fumes from all the colognes, the perfumes, and the air fresheners!! I have always had more problems with these scents. They created breathing problems for me even before becoming a smoker!

Common smoking assumptions I hear

I don't know how many current smokers, along with previous smokers, can relate to hearing common assumptions about smoking and sleep apnea. Here are some statements I have often heard:

• You know if you never started smoking you wouldn't have sleep apnea.
• Oh,…you have apnea and you're a smoker! (with a critical glare)
• Don't smoke while using your CPAP machine. It's counterproductive. (I’m not sure how that would even be done!!)
• Because you smoke, that shows that you're all stressed out!! I know that when you're stressed, you don't breathe properly. That will lead to sleep apnea!!

My perceptions as a previous smoker

From my experience, many of those who never smoked don't have a clue! It is not a misconception that we are perceived and treated like second-class citizens. Also, it feels like we are talked down to for smoking and portrayed like we're very uneducated!

Feeling the stigma even after I quit

Once someone quits smoking, they're still treated this way by people who know they used to smoke. The stigma continues after finding out you're a former smoker. If you didn't know them as a smoker, the stigma stays even after quitting.

I say this all from personal experience. I've been a non-smoker for more of my life than I've been a smoker!! Yet, I continue to experience the stigma of cigarette smoking.

It's better not to smoke

For me, a few things I do know for real, whether I have sleep apnea or not. It is obvious: it's better not to smoke. I could have a better night's sleep! And, smoking did not cause my sleep apnea. Although smoking could have made it worse, I had sleep apnea long before ever smoking cigarettes. Also in my case, I did not smoke because of stress, yet these issues may be true for others.

Have you experienced the stigma of being a smoker with sleep apnea? Please share a comment.

(Editors note: According to the Surgeon General, quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health. Should you need help with a smoking cessation program, please talk to your health care provider.)