Respiratory clinical nurse consultant Robyn Paton said O’Reilly’s Pharmacy and Southcity Pharmacy were participating.

Mrs Paton encourages anyone at risk of lung disease from smoking or industrial exposure to be screened, as the earlier conditions are detected and treated, the better control the person can have over their health.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

These conditions are recognised by increasing shortness of breath on minimal exertion, a repetitive cough with mucous on most days and often a history of cigarette smoking, Mrs Paton said.

“World COPD Day is encouraging people who may have lung disease to have lung function screening to assist in recognising lung conditions early, to understand, treat and monitor their condition with their health care team. It is important to keep actively maintaining health and fitness,” she said.

“With early diagnosis, combined with disease management programs in early stages of the disease, the burden and the progression of COPD may be slowed. Given the right support, people can live a rewarding life with lung disease, but many people don’t even know they have it until it has progressed into a moderate to severe state,” Ms Paton said.