The model was re-run and it was observed that the mean rates of decline obtained after running the model were aligned with mean rates of decline published by Scanlon et al. , which highlights that the inclusion of a no treatment arm is appropriate and it is correctly used in the model (61.54 ml/year in smokers and 31.22 ml/year in ex-smokers obtained from the model vs. 62 ml/year in smokers and 31 ml/year in ex-smokers from the study publication ). These rates are used in the base case of the model and are not affected when no treatment is selected.