The strategy, originally a national service framework, was first due for release in February this year. After delays, it was expected to appear on World COPD Day on 18 November.
But a DoH spokeswoman told GP a draft of the strategy will now not be published until December or early January.
A 12-week consultation will then begin, with the final strategy published later in 2010.
Leicestershire GP and General Practice Airways Group member Dr Dermot Ryan said the delay was disappointing.
'Many PCTs are delaying the design of their services for COPD as they are awaiting the guidance that this document is supposed to give them,' he said.
