TIME TO ADDRESS CHRONIC SMOKING KILLER

12.14.00pm GMT Thu 7th Feb 2008

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."