Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the UK, with an estimated cost to the NHS of over £800 million per year.  The mortality rate in England is roughly 23,000 deaths each year, meaning one person dies roughly every 20 minutes.

COPD is primarily caused by smoking tobacco. It is associated with current, or history of, smoking – including that of illicit drugs – and/or exposure to biomass fuel or noxious particles. It usually affects those over the age of 35 and people are often diagnosed in their 50s. Around 25 per cent of people with COPD are prevented from working due to the disease.

Prevalence is associated with geographical levels of deprivation and is increasing; many millions remain undiagnosed and, in 2020, COPD is likely to become the third leading cause of death globally.