By Martin Banks - 6th September 2011
This shows there is still much we can do
Catherine Stihler
Europe has been urged to give a higher priority to the issue of chronic respiratory diseases, one of the leading causes of death in the EU.
A hearing in parliament on Tuesday heard that lung diseases currently cause an annual cost of €100bn and threaten the Europe 2020 strategy to have 75 per cent of the working population employed and productive.
Scottish Socialist MEP Catherine Stihler told the hearing the EU should take "appropriate" measures to tackle the problem, including the adoption of an action plan on chronic diseases.
Other measures, she said, include a "significant" increased investment in biomedical research and innovation.
She said, "I want the EU to give this issue more of a priority. It is all very well to talk about smoking bans but the fact is that only 11 member states have actually implemented comprehensive smoking bans.
"This shows there is still much we can do."
She was speaking at a hearing organised by the European Respiratory Society, which has outlined key recommendations and respiratory health priorities.
Marc Decramer, president of the ERS, said the current annual cost of €100bn caused by lung disease "is not sustainable".
He added, "We call on the Polish presidency to ensure effective implementation of the council conclusions on chronic disease.
"These actions have the potential to radically improve the health of future generations and save billions for Europe's economy."
The hearing heard that leading experts have completed an 18-month reflection period, the result of which is a "European respiratory roadmap".
It recommends improving accessibility to care for those with chronic respiratory diseases as well as "strong action" on indoor and outdoor air pollution and climate change.
