Take a breather from smoking during Breathe Easy Week

Breathe Easy Week is an annual awareness event organised by the British Lung Foundation that focuses on lung health; the Quit Squad is supporting the campaign by raising awareness of the impact of tobacco on your health if you smoke.

COPD is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties. It is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Up to 25 per cent of long-term smokers will go on to develop COPD. Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of developing COPD. If you have already been diagnosed, quitting is the most important thing you can do to manage and reduce your symptoms. The Quits Squad offers a range of support to help people quit for good.

Tracy Sutton from the Quit Squad said:

“Smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causing damage to the lungs and airways. It also makes symptoms worse for people with asthma and other lung conditions. Quitting tobacco will help you cope with your symptoms, improve your health and quality of life, and prevent the condition from getting worse. It is never too late to quit and you are four times more likely to stop smoking with expert help than alone if you would like support to quit contact your local Quit Squad service.”

You can access the service in your local community by visiting a drop-in clinic (for which no appointments are required) or by attending a one-to-one session. The Quit Squad also offers sessions in the community and workplace. For further details, telephone 0800 3286297, visit www.quitsquad.nhs.uk, or follow the Quit Squad on Twitter @LancashireCare #QuitSquad. For more information about the British Lung Foundation, visit www.blf.org.uk.