KEIGHLEY smokers are being urged to stub out the habit to help prevent serious lung disease.

The plea has been issued following revelations that 12,729 people across the district are currently registered as having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Early signs of COPD – an umbrella term for lung conditions such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema – are often dismissed as a 'smoker's cough'.

But as the condition worsens, it can become debilitating and even fatal.

COPD led to about 15,000 hospital admissions in the region in 2013-14.

And between 2012 and 2014, there were 8,757 deaths attributable to the condition, many due to smoking.

Ralph Saunders, head of public health at Bradford Council, said: "My advice to anyone who smokes is don't ignore a 'smoker's cough' or getting out of breath. Take it as a sign to quit before any damage to your lungs gets worse.

"If diagnosed early, changes in lifestyle, treatments such as pulmonary rehabilitation and prescription medications can slow down the progression of the disease and help patients cope with symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue.

"However there is no cure for COPD, so the single most important thing you can do to reduce the chances of getting the condition is to stop smoking completely."

His comments are echoed by Corinne Harvey, from Public Health England in Yorkshire and the Humber.

"COPD may not be well known but it can be a serious and severely debilitating disease – dramatically affecting people's lives and leading to years of suffering," she added.

"January is a time when many people make New Year's resolutions and resolving to stop smoking is the best thing you can do, not only for your own health but for the health of those around you."

Search online for Smokefree or visit nhs.uk/smokefree for more details and support.