March 16, 2011 11.11 am This story is over 156 months old

Free lung age tests take the High Street

Time to stop? Lincoln residents can now find out their lung age with a new stop smoking campaign.

The Phoenix Stop Smoking Service in Lincoln’s city centre will be launching a new smoking awareness campaign this month.

The NHS service has teamed up with the Countywide Respiratory Team to bring the “Inside-Out” lung age project to Lincoln.

It aims to help identify lung damage early in smokers and hopefully encourage them quit smoking and receive treatment for underlying lung conditions.

A trained team in the Phoenix shop (pictured) will be able to measure the lung age of smokers and identify those with early stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

People with COPD will then be referred to their GP for a further investigation.

Respiratory Complex Case Manager Pauline Gray said: “COPD is the fifth biggest killer in the UK and the number of cases are rising.

“It is vital that services within Lincolnshire Community Health Services work together to test smokers over age 35 for possible symptoms.

“We are aiming to identify as much undiagnosed lung disease as we can to enable us to offer people the appropriate treatment.”

Tobacco Control Strategy Manager Gary Burroughs said: “Lincolnshire smokers will also be able to call in at our health shop in Lincoln to be tested on the spot.

“Our staff will offer smokers a simple lung age test, stop smoking advice and support.”

For those interested in have their lung age measured, visit the Phoenix Health Shop in Cornhill on March 19, March 26 or April 2 between 10am and 2pm.

Source: NHS Lincolnshire | Photo: Coral Morgan