An award winning Scottish professor will today (Wednesday 15th June), outline how people with asthma who smoke risk impairing the benefits of their asthma medication.

Professor Neil Thomson, Professor of Respiratory Medicine in the Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammation at the University of Glasgow, is currently looking at how people with asthma who smoke may be insensitive to steroid treatments. His report on the subject won the 'best paper of the year' prize in its section at the annual European Respiratory Society (ERS) meeting in 2004.

Speaking at the Asthma UK Annual General Meeting at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London, Professor Thomson said: "Compared with non-smokers with asthma, active smokers have more severe asthma symptoms, accelerated decline in lung function and impaired short term therapeutic responses to asthma medication. Every effort should be made to encourage individuals with asthma who smoke, to stop. We believe the legislation currently being considered for banning smoking in public places in Scotland, is one effective measure that can be taken to help smoking cessation and help people with asthma who smoke to live healthier lives."

Said Marjory Burns Director of Asthma UK Scotland; "People with asthma who smoke are making it twice as hard for themselves to get their asthma under control."

She added: "Four out of every five people with asthma, say cigarette and tobacco smoke makes their asthma worse and Professor Thomson's research highlights the need to encourage people with asthma to stop smoking. We believe a ban on smoking in public places will enable all people with asthma to get their condition under control and enjoy a better quality of life."

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For further information contact the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535, or Judy Ozkan (Asthma UK Scotland) on 077865 84956.

For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website Asthma UK Scotland.

First published: 15 June 2005