A report by the British Lung Foundation titled "Breathing Fear", states that an estimated three million people in the UK have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Half of people who smoke will develop the disease. People who are exposed to chemicals or significant environmental pollution over many years are also at risk.
The report was published one day ahead of the European Respiratory Society’s annual conference in Vienna. The ERS is a member of EPHA.
