Islington MPs, Emily Thornberry and Jeremy Corbyn, demonstrated their support for the British Lung Foundation's ‘Lungs are for Life' campaign at a lung health awareness day at the House of Commons. The ‘Lungs are for Life' campaign, which culminates during Breathe Easy week (10-17 June 2006), aims to raise awareness of the importance of good lung health for everyone, whilst highlighting that lung disease affects people of all ages.
Lung disease affects more than eight million people in the UK at a cost to the NHS of £2,576 million per year. Respiratory conditions are the most commonly reported long-term illnesses in children. In England, around one in seven boys and one in eight girls aged 2-15 reports a long-term respiratory condition .
The Islington MPs also took the opportunity to welcome recent figures showing that Islington PCT has helped more smokers quit that any other Borough. A recent Department of Health report showed that the stop smoking service helped 1,470 people give up between April & December last year. This gives the borough a rate of 986 quitters per 100,000 - the highest in London.
Giving their lungs a workout on an exercise bike at the House of Commons, Ms Thornberry said: "We are both delighted to be supporting the British Lung Foundation's ‘Lungs are for Life' campaign. And I am so glad that more people are recognizing the dangers of smoking and are deciding to quit. It isn't easy to give up - I know. I did so after smoking for nearly 25 years! But it's well worth it."
Mr Corbyn added: "One person in seven in the UK is affected by lung disease - from tiny babies to older adults - and many are severely disabled by their condition. It is really important to look after your lungs and this campaign will help highlight that. Smoking can be especially bad for the lungs and that's why I'm pleased that so many Islington residents are quitting"
Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation said: "We are pleased that Emily Thornberry and Jeremy Corbyn are supporting our campaign. We hope that they will be able to take the message back to their constituents and encourage them all to remember that their lungs are for life."
Anyone who wants more information about the British Lung Foundation or about lung health should visit http://www.lunguk.org/ or call the BLF Helpline on 08458 50 20 20.
