An island-wide campaign has been launched to help people with asthma take control of the condition.

Blue “quick reliever” asthma inhalers are being featured on 23 public buses and in newspaper advertisements to raise awareness.

BHB asthma nurse educator Debbie Barboza said: “The blue inhaler should most definitely be used if there is difficulty breathing.

“The problem is that many people with asthma use the reliever inhalers regularly, sometimes even daily.”

She added that one quick-reliever inhaler should last a year if asthma is well controlled.

“The back-of-the-bus message is aimed at these people, letting them know there is a better option and that using the reliever inhaler more than twice is week is not the best way to manage their condition.

“They should be using a preventer inhaler to control their asthma symptoms.”

With September being back-to-school season, Bermuda sees one of the largest spikes in asthma attacks, especially in children.

Ms Barboza said cold and flu viruses and the change in seasons bring an increase in uncontrolled asthma for adults as well.

Asthma attacks accounted for more than 6 per cent of all visits to the Emergency Department from April 2015 to March 2016 last year.

Ms Barboza added: “Every asthmatic should have an action plan. I am here to help each person create theirs.”

The island-wide Bermuda Hospitals Board campaign will run for a year, changing midway, to drive greater awareness on the ability asthmatics have to take control of their condition.

As part of the campaign, BHB is also running a mini-promotion until September 28.

People who take their photo with the BHB asthma campaign on the back of any bus displaying the advert, can e-mail it to astma.centre@bhb.bm and have it featured on the BHB Facebook page and receive a prize.

•Ms Barboza can be contacted at 239-2027 or asthma.centre@bhb.bm. Consultations are covered under the standard hospital benefit.