A 45-year-old man with chronic cough and dyspnoea is evaluated in primary care. Spirometry shows post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC 0.68 and FEV1 80 percent predicted, consistent with mild COPD. He continues to smoke one pack per day and has one exacerbation per year managed at home. According to COPD pharmacotherapy guidance, what is the most appropriate initial inhaler strategy?