KARACHI, Nov 10: Pulmonogists at a health forum called for making public places free of tobacco in order to reduce the chances of passive smoking.

The forum was organised by the Aga Khan Medical University Hospital in connection with the sixth World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day.

Prof Javaid Khan, head of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the university, stressed that strict measures be taken for the implementation of clean air laws in the country.

Cigarette smoking, dust and chemicals encountered at the workplace were included among high risk factors, he said, adding that public places should be made smoke free as passive smoking was a proven risk factor for lung cancer, heart attacks and several other fatal diseases.

Dr Muhammad Irfan, a consultant chest physician, said the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease progressively robed a sufferer of his breath.

According to the World Health Organisation, he said, it was the fourth leading cause of death around the globe on par with the HIV/AIDS.

The disease proved fatal for more than three million people in the world every year, he said. Up to 10 per cent of adults over 40 worldwide might have it, he said, and suggested regular medical check-ups in this regard. Of 100,000 people in the country, 71 died of the obstructive pulmonary disease.

Dr Javed Husain said early diagnosis was helpful in effective treatment.

Dr Nawal Salahuddin counted the early symptoms of the disease as coughing, bringing up sputum and breathlessness during exercise or exertion.

Dr Suleman Haque and Dr Shereen Khan also spoke.