Sharon Hodgson MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Public Health, reacting to the British Lung Foundation’s report into the economic cost of lung disease in the UK, said:

“Lung disease is a major health issue here in our country. The British Lung Foundation’s eye-opening report today is an important step in highlighting the staggering and rising cost of this illness. There is not only a financial toll for our society but for the NHS as well. It is so important that we do all we can to address the various lung-related illnesses and diseases that people face and make inroads into improving respiratory health.

“Ministers urgently need to come up with a credible and comprehensive strategy to minimise the prevalence of lung diseases in our country, and also to reduce the costs of this illness on our society and our already stretched NHS.

“The cost of lung disease in the UK is getting worse by the year and this enormous human and financial impact just can’t be allowed to continue. The Government must be much more proactive in raising awareness among the public and investing in preventative health measures which can head off the risks of lung disease in years to come.”