Asthma + Lung UK Scotland is urging people with lung conditions to take extra precautions against a dangerous duo of smoke and cold weather this coming Bonfire Night.
People with lung conditions could experience worsening symptoms like breathlessness and coughing, or even end up in hospital with an asthma attack or life-threatening flare up of their condition due to the smoke from bonfires and colder air.
Nearly half of people living with asthma (47%) surveyed by the charity in Scotland said poor air quality, including smoke, made their symptoms worse and almost seven in ten people surveyed (69%) said cold air triggered their condition.1,2
Asthma affects more than 720,000 people in Scotland, which means thousands could be at risk of a life-threatening asthma attack on or around 5 November, when people have bonfire displays and set off fireworks.3
Nearly forty percent (37%) of people in Scotland with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) who were surveyed also said air pollution including smoke was an issue for them and almost seven in ten (69%) people surveyed said cold air was a trigger.1,2
There are currently 241,000 people in Scotland living with COPD with many more thousand living undiagnosed.4
In total, 2 in 5 (41%) of people with any type of lung condition, including bronchiectasis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, said they were affected by poor air quality including smoke and 67% by cold air.1,2
Breathing in smoke and air pollution from bonfires and fireworks can be dangerous for those with lung conditions, because they can irritate airways and worsen symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing and wheezing. This can lead to a potentially life-threatening asthma attack or COPD flare up.
As we approach winter, colder air can cause your airways to narrow, increasing the amount of mucus you produce and make it harder if you have a lung condition to breathe.
NHS Scotland data shows that there were 8,086 respiratory emergency hospital admissions in Scotland in November 2023, an increase of over 930 admissions from the previous month of October.5
Asthma + Lung UK Scotland is urging people with lung conditions to stay well this Bonfire Night by following these top tips:
· Take your preventer medicines as prescribed
· Always carry your reliever inhaler with you if you use one
· If you find that smoke is one of your triggers, stand well back from the bonfire
· Make sure your friends and family know what to do and when to get help if your symptoms suddenly get worse. If you use a self-management plan, keep a copy with you
· If cold air is a trigger for you, wrap a scarf loosely over your nose and mouth to warm the air before you breathe it in, if this is comfortable.
Karen from Ayrshire was diagnosed with asthma whilst at University and severe asthma in 2020. Her husband and both children also have asthma.
“Smoke from bonfires and fireworks sadly causes my asthma to get a lot worse. We have one big local bonfire display and of course there are fires and fireworks in people’s gardens.
“It’s ok if I know the date of the big local bonfire so I can keep doors and windows shut and not go out, but it’s more problematic when it’s fires and fireworks from gardens, as they can sometimes start weeks before the 5 November.
“I end up having to take more puffs on my reliever inhaler on top of using my preventer inhaler every day. I also take a scarf with me if I’m out to cover my mouth, but it doesn’t stop it all together. I know bonfires and fireworks can be fun, but I would like to fast forward this season.
“People just don’t realise how dangerous asthma can be and how much smoke can affect it.”
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, said:
“We know that bonfire displays and fireworks can be good fun, but they can also be dangerous if you have a lung condition. When coupled with a drop in temperature and colder air it can make asthma symptoms worse, meaning that next week people with asthma and COPD could face a dangerous combination of smoke and cold air. Smoke from bonfires can also linger in the air for hours afterwards.
“The best thing you can do is ensure you take your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed, as this builds up protection in the airways. And always keep your reliever inhaler to hand, so you can use it to quickly relieve symptoms if they do come on. If the smoke from fireworks, bonfires or cold air has brought on your symptoms before, it may be best to stay indoors and enjoy the display from a window.
“However, if you are planning on going to a display, make sure you stand well back from bonfires and fireworks, and check what direction the wind is blowing in, so you can avoid the smoke. If you’re celebrating in cold weather, you can try loosely wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth to warm up the cold air you’re breathing in.”
More information can be found at: Fireworks and your lungs | Asthma + Lung UK or call the Asthma + Lung UK Helpline on 0300 222 5800, funded with thanks to funds raised by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
ENDS
References
1. Figures from Asthma + Lung UK’s 2024 Life with a Lung Condition Survey in Scotland
| Respiratory | Asthma | COPD | ||||
| % | # | % | # | % | # | |
| Air pollution | 41% | 504 out of 1231 | 47% | 387 out of 829 | 37% | 160 out of 428 |
2. Figures from Asthma + Lung UK’s 2024 Life with a Lung Condition Survey in Scotland
| Respiratory | Asthma | COPD | ||||
| % | # | % | # | % | # | |
| Cold weather | 67% | 823 out of 1231 | 69% | 571 out of 829 | 69% | 297 out of 428 |
3. Figure calculated using data from, Scottish Health Survey 2021
4. Scotland | Asthma + Lung UK
5. NHS hospital emergency admissions figures:
| Monthly respiratory emergency admissions | October 2023 | November 2023 | # increase | % increase | Source – 2023/24 data |
| Scotland | 7,156 | 8,086 | 930 | 13% | Public Health Scotland request |