New ERS/ELF website provides statistics on health hazards of smoking

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Lung Foundation (ELF) have launched a new website today providing key statistics on how smoking harms the lungs. 

The launch will take place in Athens, Greece under the Greek Presidency of the Council of European Union. Greece was also selected as the host country as it has one of the highest smoking rates in the EU, exceeding 40% of the population.

The website is primarily aimed at policy makers looking to access easy-to-understand, evidence-based information on how both active and passive smoking damages the lungs.

The website has been produced in collaboration with the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies (UKCTAS) based at the University of Nottingham.

The information is based on a review of all the available evidence relation to lung health and smoking.

In addition to this valuable data, the website also contains a list of key recommendations for policymakers about how we can reduce these harms and protect the health of European.

These include ensuring that healthcare professionals are equipped with the skills and knowledge to help smokers quit and implementing the guidelines set by the World Health Organization relating to tobacco control across Europe by all countries.

Visit the SmokeHaz website to find out more

Watch a series of videos talking about the importance of the website