The incidence of pneumothorax admissions in both younger and older age groups is highest in the North West region of the UK, although other regions with high rates are South Thames for younger and Northern & Yorkshire for older people. Lower rates are seen in Anglia & Oxford, North Thames and West Midlands for both age groups. The geographical distribution of pneumothorax follows that of COPD (LAIA 99/2) and smoking, risk factors for secondary pneumothorax.