The aim of the current study was to determine whether polymorphisms spanning ALOX5AP, LTA4H and the LTB4R locus influence baseline lung function (FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio) in smokers and whether they contribute to susceptibility to develop COPD or a more severe form of COPD in smokers. The gene discussed is LTB4R; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.