Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - Prevention 

Give up smoking

Smoking is by far the biggest risk factor for COPD. If you smoke, stopping is the single most effective way to reduce your risk of getting the condition.

If you already have COPD, stopping smoking can halt its progression and reduce your risk of dying from it.

Research has shown that you are up to four times more likely to succeed in giving up smoking if you use NHS support along with stop-smoking medicines such as patches or gum. Ask your doctor about this, call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 022 4332 or go to the NHS Smokefree website.

Also avoid exposure to tobacco smoke as much as possible.

Want to know more?

• Find your local stop-smoking service. 
• Map of Medicine: Stopping smoking.