Why shouldn't smokers use cough suppressants to treat a "smokers cough!

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

Cough suppressants decrease the removal of mucous and other debris from the lungs, remember coughing is a defence mechanism, this increases the risk of infection due to stagnant mucous and may even increase cancer risks by helping to retain tars.

GP for more years than I care to remember

Coughing during a cold is often unnecessary and does nothing but make a person tired. Cough suppressants provide relief from this. When a smoker coughs, it is because their bronchi are paralyzed by the smoke and they are coughing up the mucus blocking their airways. Suppressing that type of cough is dangerous because you could aspirate. So basically, smokers shouldn't take cough suppressants because it is actually good that they are coughing the excess mucus up.

Also, smoker's cough is a chronic condition, and cough suppressants are only meant to be used for a few days at a time.

As Tommy says, a smokers cough is a productive cough for the host as it will help to alleviate any mucus build up - mainly in the lungs.
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are both related to the build up of mucus in the lungs.
When mucus is allowed to settle inside the lungs, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. When you cough, this mucus is swept up to your throat for it to be swallowed or exhaled.
Should your mucus not be removed from the lung, and bacteria grow, it can begin to cause problems. For example, emphysema is where the inflammatory response of the body's immune system (attacking the subsequent bacterial colonies) breaks down the alveoli elastin permanently - causing alveoli to collapse.

In all honesty though, cough supressants have little or no real efficacy anyway. Something which will soothe your throat is a wise purchase, though.

Cough suppressants are medicine used to treat symptoms of a cough, such as a cold or flu. These medecines attack the virus, and the cough is simply a side effect of the virus.

Since smokers don't have these illnesses, the medicine will have no affect. A smokers cough is a natural reaction to excess mucus build up, which is caused by smoking - where the only treatable condition is to stop smoking.