Smoking cessation is currently the only
intervention proven to slow the progression
of COPD. Accelerated FEV1 decline in an
‘at-risk’ smoker can be reduced to that of a
non-smoker or non-susceptible smoker at
any stage in the disease process (Fletcher and
Peto, 1977). The earlier a smoker stops the
better, but it is never too late.
Health professionals should raise the
subject of smoking cessation at every
encounter. Doing so may be enough to:
➤ Prompt a committed smoker to think
about stopping
➤ Encourage someone contemplating
stopping to make a serious quit attempt.
No opportunity to support smoking
cessation should be missed