FIGURES released today (Tuesday December 29) from Public Health England (PHE) show that more than 5,000 people in South Worcestershire are suffering from serious lung diseases – for which smoking is the biggest preventable factor.

Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) includes conditions like bronchitis and emphysema which mean people have difficulty breathing mainly due to the narrowing of their airways and the destruction of lung tissue.

Typical symptoms include breathlessness when active, a persistent cough and frequent chest infections. Large numbers of people with COPD are unable to participate in everyday activities such as climbing stairs, housework or gardening; with many even unable take a holiday.

The figures for April 2014 to March 2015 show 5,259 people in South Worcestershire and 3,113 people in the Redditch and Bromsgrove area, while a total of 108,000 in the whole of the West Midlands, suffer from the condition.

Figures also show COPD led to 13,242 hospital admissions in the West Midlands in 2013/14 and 13,000 emergency hospital admissions in that period.

Alongside the impact on quality on life, 8,001 deaths in the West Midlands between 2012 and 2014 were attributable to COPD and around 86per cent of national COPD deaths are caused by smoking, according to Public Health England.

Dr Carl Ellson, Chief Clinical Officer for NHS South Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Although Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can’t be reversed, people can prevent it from developing or getting worse by stopping smoking.

“Living a healthy lifestyle and keeping physically fit is also important but the most effective treatment is to quit the habit as soon as possible.”

Dr Lola Abudu, PHE West Midlands health improvement consultant, said: “COPD may not be well known but it can be a serious and severely debilitating disease, dramatically affecting people’s lives and leading to years of suffering.”

“The single best thing a smoker can do to reduce their chances of developing this devastating disease is to stop smoking.

“January is a time when many people make New Year’s resolutions and resolving to stop smoking is the best thing you can do not only for your health but for the health of those around you.

“Search ‘Smokefree’ online, or visit your local stop smoking service to get the help and support you need to quit smoking for good.”