TIME TO ADDRESS CHRONIC SMOKING KILLER

12.00.00am GMT Wed 6th Feb 2008

Liz Lynne MEP (l) having her lungs tested with a spirometer at a recent exhibition to highlight COPD (at the European Parliament in Brussels), with Professor Ben Nemery (r) of the European Respiratory Society.

Thirty thousand deaths in England and Wales and over 200,000 deaths across the EU could be saved each year if more was done to tackle the little known Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), best known by its most common symptom, smoker's cough.

Local MEP Liz Lynne, who has long campaigned on public health issues, has signed up to a campaign in the European Parliament which would see more research and health campaigns conducted across Europe.

Signing the Written Declaration in Brussels, which if signed by over half of MEPs will prompt a debate in the European Parliament, Liz commented:

"This terrible condition is expected to become the third biggest killer in the world by 2020 but those who are not killed, including an estimated 600,000 people in the UK, 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. Workplace smoking bans and government initiatives are encouraging people to kick the habit, but we ignore this disease at our peril."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Photos: Liz Lynne MEP (l) having her lungs tested with a spirometer at a recent exhibition to highlight COPD (at the European Parliament in Brussels), with Professor Ben Nemery (r) of the European Respiratory Society.

COPD was previously known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

It is estimated that there could be 600 million cases of COPD worldwide

The Written Declaration below, if signed by over half of the 785 MEPs before the 28th of February, will prompt a debate on the subject in the European Parliament. As of the 31st of January 2008, 109 Members had signed.

Written declaration on combating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - 0102/2007

The European Parliament,

A. whereas chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and costly lung disease whose advanced stage is chronic respiratory failure,

B. whereas COPD is an under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated disease that is neglected by healthcare providers and the public,

C. whereas COPD is increasing worldwide as a result of the epidemic in tobacco use, changing global demographics and indoor and outdoor air pollution,

D. whereas in the European Union COPD causes approximately 200,000-300,000 deaths yearly and is projected to move from the sixth to the third most common cause of death worldwide by 2020,

1. Calls on Member States to raise awareness of the condition by promoting prevention and ensuring equal access to early diagnosis, correct treatments and mobility of COPD patients;

2. Calls on the EU to facilitate long-term research into the causes, prevalence and treatment of COPD;

3. Urges the EU Member States to implement comprehensive smoke-free policies and to develop smoking cessation strategies;

4. Calls on the EU to publish a Green Paper on indoor air under the Environment and Health Action Plan;