Respiratory Community News

Sing your lungs our for COPD

Recently, the Foundation attended the Porirua Sing Your Lungs Out (PSYLO) charity Christmas concert at the Pātaka Art Museum in Porirua.

PSYLO is a community choir, made up of those who live with chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). Singing is a proven method of pulmonary rehabilitation and helps to build lung strength through deep and steady breathing – it’s also a great place for people to socialise, as this can be limited due to the isolation of living with a chronic illness.

The annual Christmas concert is a great way for PSYLO to raise vital funds to continue their work within the Porirua respiratory community.

To find out more, search ‘Porirua Sing Your Lungs Out PSYLO’ on Facebook. There are also other SYLO groups throughout New Zealand.

Recently, the Ministry of Health have announced public consultation on New Zealand’s recent vaping regulations.

This process provides the public with an opportunity to have a say on where vaping products can be displayed, how they’re packaged and promoted, what safety requirements are needed, and how the ingredients are regulated. Public consultation is open until 5pm, 15 March 2021.

Warm up your home this winter

A warm, dry home is especially important if someone in your home has respiratory disease.

Government initiated Warmer Kiwi Homes grants are available for lowerincome homeowners covering 90% of the cost of insulation and/or a fixed efficient heater (heater grants capped at $3000). Generous funding from organisations in the community means the cost to homeowners may be even lower in some areas.

Warmer Kiwi Homes Manager, Eddie Thompson, says people should apply for a grant now to avoid waits for installs in winter.

Find out if you are eligible and more details by visiting warmerkiwihomes.govt.nz or free call 0800 749 782.

Have your say on vaping regulations

Recently, the Ministry of Health have announced public consultation on New Zealand’s recent vaping regulations.

This process provides the public with an opportunity to have a say on where vaping products can be displayed, how they’re packaged and promoted, what safety requirements are needed, and how the ingredients are regulated. Public consultation is open until 5pm, 15 March 2021.

To find out more visit www.health.govt.nz/publication/smokefreeenvironments-and-regulated-products-act-1990-proposalsregulations