LUNG disease caused by smoking has again been highlighted as the region's most significant health problem.

In 2002, 57 Doncaster men in every 100,000 died from a respiratory illness, compared with an average in England of 41.2. This was an improvement on 1998 to 2000 when the figure was 73 per 100,000 in Doncaster, compared with an English average of 43.6. And Yorkshire and the Humber is still the region with the highest death rate from bronchitis and emphysema in the country, according to the annual report on public health in the area. Paul Johnstone, regional director for public health in Yorkshire, said this was due to two factors - smoking, and poor heating. The region has some of the highest rates of smoking in the country and the habit answers for about 10,000 deaths a year. Mr Johnstone said: "Tobacco smoked directly, or inhaled as second-hand smoke in the home or workplace, causes premature death through heart disease, cancer and respiratory problems. "Second hand smoke is a real threat to health, and we are encouraging employers across all sectors to support a ban on smoking in the workplace." Actions already taken to tackle the problem by the primary care trusts in Doncaster include the appointment of an extra respiratory nurse, and investment in services to help people quit smoking.

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