Some people feel the effects of smoke more quickly or more severely—but anyone can be affected.
More than half our population is considered more smoke-vulnerable. People who may be more sensitive to smoke include:
- Children and babies
- Teenagers
- Older adults
- Pregnant women
- People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic conditions
- People who work outdoors, including farmworkers, construction workers, and delivery drivers
You don’t need a medical diagnosis to take smoke seriously. If you feel symptoms, your body is telling you something important.
The chart below was created by the Chelan-Douglas Health District to show some of the possible physical and mental health impacts on some vulnerable populations. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but represents groups most likely to seek health services during smoke events.
