Time to address chronic smoking killer

11.01.28am GMT Thu 16th Nov 2006

More needs to be done to raise awareness of a condition that kills more people than breast cancer, alcoholic liver disease, illegal drug use and transport accidents put together, according to long-time anti-smoking campaigner Liz Lynne MEP.

Marking Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Day today and the launch of a written declaration on the issue in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Liz said:

"Most people will be aware of COPD's main symptom, smoker's cough, but despite the fact that it affects an estimated 600,000 people in the UK and kills 30,000 people in England and Wales each year, public awareness is appallingly low.

"This terrible condition is expected to become the third biggest killer in the world by 2020 but even for those who are not killed, they can become so breathless that they are no longer able to carry out even normal daily activities such as walking.

"The vast majority of people affected are smokers so as well as ensuring that more resources are used to monitor and treat this terrible condition, we must redouble our efforts to highlight the dangers smokers risk every time they have a cigarette."

Editor's Notes

COPD was previously known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema