A total of 73 facilities in Gifu Prefecture participated in the Spiro-caravan campaign, an activity led by the Gifu Prefecture Medical Association that involved free rental of spirometers to promote early diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A pulmonary function test and a questionnaire survey were conducted on patients aged ≥40 years with a history of smoking who were receiving treatment for diseases other than COPD and who had not been diagnosed with or treated for COPD. Consent was obtained from all patients before the study began. Valid data were obtained from a total of 593 patients in the prefecture (mean age, 62.3±12.1 years). Among these patients, 32.0% were suspected of having COPD, and this rate increased rapidly, starting at the 60's age group. A total of 83.0% of patients were in a state equivalent to mild to moderate COPD, and 68.9% had not heard of the disease named “COPD.” These findings indicate the importance of screening and awareness campaigns for patients receiving care in the primary clinical practice.