The events, which took place in October and November 2020, targeted a range of audiences to spread important messages about the effects of air pollution, particularly in busy cities, and the importance of lung health.

Lung diseases are on the rise in Pakistan. This is because of the growing number of people smoking, and smog in polluted cities. Smog is air pollution that is so bad it can be seen; it looks like thick fog and can cause a lot of health problems. Pakistan has been ranked the second most polluted country in the world and regularly goes over the clean air limits set by the World Health Organization.

The events were organised by the City Traffic Police in Gujranwala, along with a number of other partners including the Government School Education Partnership, the District Teaching/General Hospital and media outlets.

Events included:

• Lessons delivered to a boys’ high school on the importance of clean air for the lungs in the context of city smog and the COVID-19 pandemic
• A newspaper advertising campaign sharing messages from the Healthy Lungs for Life campaign
• A social media campaign from the city traffic office on the importance of clean air
• Short booklets were given out about lung testing (spirometry) to patients and the general public
• A public information event with talks and brochures delivered to passers-by on the dangers of traffic-related air pollution
• A short documentary on how to stay safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic on TV news channels.