Give sufferers a stronger voice

One in 12 of us suffers from asthma, and the numbers are growing. There are 1.4 million children and 3.7 million adults receiving treatment for asthma in Britain, and GPs see more than 18,000 new cases every week. Yet there is plenty that could be done to both help people already afflicted and ensure that fewer suffer from it in the future.

Asthma campaign

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One in 12 of us suffers from asthma, and the numbers are growing. There are 1.4 million children and 3.7 million adults receiving treatment for asthma in Britain, and GPs see more than 18,000 new cases every week. Yet there is plenty that could be done to both help people already afflicted and ensure that fewer suffer from it in the future.

For that reason we are calling for:

• Every school to have an asthma policy so that inhalers are available, avoidable triggers are removed and teachers know what to do when a pupil has an attack.
• Asthma sufferers to be given a voice in planning, transport, health and education.
• Public funding for a major programme of research into the causes of asthma, including links with pollution.
• Ministers to set clear targets for the introduction of low- or no-emission vehicles.
• More funding for the development of non-carbon vehicles that do not pollute and the infrastructure that people will need to use them.
• Reduction of the level of traffic on our roads – and viable public transport.

We want your stories, your suggestions, your campaign ideas. Write to: 'The Independent on Sunday' Asthma Campaign, 191 Marsh Wall, London, E14 5DL or email: asthma@independent.co.uk