He started smoking when he was 18, only quitting when it was "too late".

The 68-year-old Mr Yap Seng Koon now needs the help of a machine to breathe because of his COLD, or chronic obstructive lung disease.

Before he quit, the retiree was smoking 20 cigarettes a day before he quit. He developed the chronic lung disease when he was 52. Now he needs an oxygen concentrator - a machine to supply oxygen for him to breathe - for many hours each day.

"Walking and even just talking has become increasingly difficult," said Mr Yap in a written statement. "I am not able to talk to the media now although I would really like to."

His physical condition has taken much of the joy out of his retirement years.

"I miss those times where I could go to the coffee shop to meet my friends and chat over coffee," said Mr Yap.

"Walking to the nearest coffeeshop is now very difficult as I have to make many stops to catch my breath. It is ver strenuous for me and I can?t go out alone.

"My wife stays at home to accompany me. If I did not have chronic obstructive lung disease, my wife and I would be able to go out to enjoy ourselves."

Mr Yap regrets not kicking the habit earlier, and hopes that by sharing his experience, he will be able to help smokers clearly understand the harmful effects of smoking.

To that end, his story is being passed on by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) through a combination of television,
radio, print advertisements and on-ground activities in the community, workplaces and healthcare institutions.

The HPB's smoking control campaign this year, held in conjunction with World No Tobacco Day 2008, will adopt a two-pronged approach that focuses on both youth and adults. Mr Yap was unable to attend the campaign launch yesterday because his condition had taken a turn for the worse and he was forced to stay home, close to the oxygen concentrator.

Over 90 per cent of COLD cases are caused by smoking. According to the World Health Organisation's estimates, the disease will become the world's number four killer by 2030. In Singapore, it is believed that there are 60,000 COLD sufferers.

The HPB will educate the public about COLD and quitting smoking through its roadshows as well as provide free health checks for participants.

To find out more about HPB's smoking cessation activities, visit their website at www.hpb.gov.sg.

Fact sheet on chronic obstructive lung disease

Smoking causes many diseases including cancer, heart diseases, stroke and chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

COLD blocks air flow to and from the lungs. It causes coughs and breathlessness, often developing unnoticed until
serious lung damage is done. It is incurable and can only be managed through extensive and prolonged treatment.

More than 90% of COLD cases are caused by smoking.

In Singapore it is likely that more than 60,000 people suffer from it.

By the time most patients are diagnosed to have COLD, they may have lost at least 50% of their pulmonary function.

Smokers, especially those with symptoms such as persistent cough or breathlessness are encouraged to undergo spirometry testing. Spirometry is currently available in certain polyclinics and general practice (GP) clinics.

According to the latest World Health Organization estimate (2007), currently 210 million people have COLD. Three million people died of COLD in 2005. WHO predicts that COLD will become the fourth leading cause of death worldwide by 2030.

For more information, visit www.who.int/respiratory/copd/en/.