Young smokers aged 25-45  have been invited to take part in a world first trial that will assess whether two long acting bronchodilators can slow down lung function decline in smokers.

The George Institute, in collaboration with the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Concord, Campbelltown and Royal North Shore Hospitals, is seeking to enrol 320 current smokers with no symptoms of lung disease.

Professor Jenkins, head of Respiratory Trials at The George Institute, said: “This is not a get out of jail free card for smokers. We know that millions of people around the world are addicted to tobacco and find it very hard to give up smoking.  What we want to do is to see if we can slow down, and potentially even help some young smokers avoid emphysema and chronic bronchitis which are incredibly debilitating conditions.

“COPD is a huge burden on the healthcare system.  It’s the second leading cause of avoidable hospital admissions, and affects one in seven Australians.”

The fully independent study is being funded by GSK with an investment of $1.3 million. Study participants will be advised and supported to give up smoking and offered a smoking cessation course first.

For more information on the trial click here.