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Seòmar agus comataidhean

World COPD Day 2023: “Breathing is Life - Act Earlier”

  • Submitted by: Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 November 2023
  • Submitting member has a registered interest.

  • Motion reference: S6M-11249

That the Parliament acknowledges World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day, which, for 2023, takes place on 15 November; understands that World COPD Day is organised by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), in collaboration with healthcare professionals and COPD patient groups throughout the world; understands that the aim of COPD Day is to raise awareness, share knowledge, and discuss ways to reduce the burden of COPD worldwide; believes that the 2023 theme for World COPD Day will be “Breathing is Life – Act Earlier”, which further aims to highlight the importance of early lung health, early diagnosis and early intervention; believes that keeping lungs healthy is an integral part of future health and that it is now more important than ever to act sooner; considers that, in addition to tobacco smoking, there are many other factors that can contribute to COPD, which can also start early in life and effect young individuals; is concerned that, whilst not clinically proven, there may be an additional risk caused by vaping, especially in the young; understands that precursor conditions have been identified that may provide new opportunities for early diagnosis and prompt treatment; acknowledges what it sees as the sterling work done by charities such as Asthma+Lung UK and Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, which it considers has tirelessly campaigned for the "Right to Rehab" to be acknowledged as a human right for every person in Scotland, as well as lung health groups such as Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire in the Mid-Scotland and Fife region, as well as the dedicated and selfless healthcare professionals, and highlights what it sees as the grave importance of never ignoring symptoms and seeking early diagnosis, in light of reports that around 3% of the population in Scotland are living with GP-diagnosed COPD.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jackie Baillie, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Alexander Burnett, Jackson Carlaw, Maggie Chapman, Foysol Choudhury, Sharon Dowey, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Annabelle Ewing, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Kenneth Gibson, Maurice Golden, Dr Pam Gosal MBE, Jamie Greene, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, Jamie Halcro Johnston, Craig Hoy, Monica Lennon, Ruth Maguire, John Mason, Roz McCall, Stuart McMillan, Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Colin Smyth, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle