Inclusion criteria: <br>For inclusion and randomisation in the trial, patients must meet each of the following criteria:<br><br>1. Males and non-pregnant, non-lactating females aged = 40. Women of childbearing potential are allowed to enter the trial ONLY if they use one medically approved (i.e., mechanical or pharmacological) contraceptive measure. A female is considered to be of childbearing potential unless she has had a hysterectomy, is at least one year post-menopausal or has undergone tubal ligation. All women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at the screening visit.<br><br>2.  Patients with a clinical diagnosis of COPD, according to the GOLD guidelines: (http://www.goldcopd.com) and stable airway obstruction.<br><br>3. Patients with a post salbutamol FEV1 equal to or greater than 30% of the predicted value and less than 80% of the predicted value (i.e., 30% = 100xobserved post-salbutamol FEV1/ predicted FEV1 <80%) <br><br>4. Post-salbutamol FEV1/FVC < 70% at screening visit (i.e,. 100xpost-salbutamol FEV1/FVC < 70%).<br><br>5. Current, or ex-cigarette smokers with a smoking history of at least 10 pack-years.<br>Pack-years are calculated by dividing the number of cigarettes smoked per day by 20 (the number of cigarettes in a pack) and multiplying this figure by the number of years a person has smoked. For example, a person who smokes 40 cigarettes a day and has smoked for 10 years would have a 20 pack-year smoking history (40 cigarettes per day ¸ 20 cigarettes per pack = 2; 2 x 10 years of smoking = 20 pack-years history). Patients smoking other tobacco types will not be allowed, unless they meet the cigarette criterion as well.<br><br>6. Patients who are eligible and able to participate in the trial and who consent to do so in writing after the purpose and nature of the investigation have been explained to them.<br><br>Are the trial subjects under 18? no<br>Number of subjects for this age range: <br>F.1.2 Adults (18-64 years) yes<br>F.1.2.1 Number of subjects for this age range <br>F.1.3 Elderly (>=65 years) yes<br>F.1.3.1 Number of subjects for this age range <br>;Inclusion criteria: <br>For inclusion and randomisation in the trial, patients must meet each of the following criteria:<br><br>1. Males and non-pregnant, non-lactating females aged = 40. Women of childbearing potential are allowed to enter the trial ONLY if they use one medically approved (i.e., mechanical or pharmacological) contraceptive measure. A female is considered to be of childbearing potential unless she has had a hysterectomy, is at least one year post-menopausal or has undergone tubal ligation. All women of childbearing potential must have a negative pregnancy test at the screening visit.<br><br>2.  Patients with a clinical diagnosis of COPD, according to the GOLD guidelines: (http://www.goldcopd.com) and stable airway obstruction.<br><br>3. Patients with a post salbutamol FEV1 equal to or greater than 30% of the predicted value and less than 80% of the predicted value (i.e., 30% = 100xobserved post-salbutamol FEV1/ predicted FEV1 <80%) <br><br>4. Post-salbutamol FEV1/FVC < 70% at screening visit (i.e,. 100xpost-salbutamol FEV1/FVC < 70%).<br><br>5. Current, or ex-cigarette smokers with a smoking history of at least 10 pack-years.<br>Pack-years are calculated by dividing the number of cigarettes smoked per day by 20 (the number of cigarettes in a pack) and multiplying this figure by the number of years a person has smoked. For example, a person who smokes 40 cigarettes a day and has smoked for 10 years would have a 20 pack-year smoking history (40 cigarettes per day ¸ 20 cigarettes per pack = 2; 2 x 10 years of smoking = 20 pack-years history). Patients smoking other tobacco types will not be allowed, unless they meet the cigarette criterion as well.<br><br>6. Patients who are eligible and able to participate in the trial and who consent to do so in writing after the purpose and nature of the investigation have been explained to them.<br><br>Are the trial subjects under 18? no<br>Number of subjects for this age range: <br>F.1.2 Adults (18-64 years) yes<br>F.1.2.1 Number of subjects for this age range <br>F.1.3 Elderly (>=65 years) yes<br>F.1.3.1 Number of subjects for this age range <br>