Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term lung condition that can make it hard to breathe. This happens when the airways in your lungs become swollen, blocked, or lose their elastic qualities.1

One of the most common causes of COPD is smoking – including breathing in secondhand smoke.1 Smoking is one of the main causes, but not the only cause of COPD. If you have COPD, quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do to manage your condition and keep it from getting worse.2

When you smoke, you are inhaling more than just the burning of tobacco leaves and cigarette paper. There are more than 7,000 chemicals in cigarettes, and over 70 of them are known to cause cancer.3 If that weren’t bad enough, the smoke and particles you inhale while smoking can damage your airways and the small sacs of air – called alveoli – that are found deep in your lungs.1

Smoking doesn’t just raise your risk of COPD, it can also:

  • Weaken your immune system4
  • Slow your healing time4
  • Increase your risk of stroke, heart disease, and many types of cancer3
  • Have a negative effect on your sex life (in men, erectile dysfunction, reduced sex drive and infertility)5, 6, 7

If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. There are many tools and treatments available to help you become a “former smoker.”2

Note: If you were exposed to secondhand smoke, or if you smoked or vaped as a teen or young adult, you may have slow lung growth or lung infections that may increase your risk of COPD later in life.8

E-cigarettes, also called vapes, are small devices that heat a liquid—usually with nicotine and flavoring—into a mist you breathe in. Some people believe vaping is safer than smoking regular cigarettes, but that’s not necessarily true.

The mist from e-cigarettes contains harmful substances like tiny particles, heavy metals, and chemicals that can damage your lungs and make it harder to breathe.9 Vaping has also been linked to heart problems and poor air quality in the home—just like secondhand smoke from cigarettes.10,11

Nicotine is the main ingredient in many e-cigarettes. It’s highly addictive and can be especially harmful for teens and young adults. People who start vaping at a young age may be more likely to try smoking regular cigarettes later.12

Not all smokers will develop COPD, but smoking greatly increases your chances. Research shows that after years of smoking, up to 40% of smokers will develop COPD.2

And remember: smoking isn’t the only cause of COPD. Studies show that nearly 30% of people with COPD have never smoked at all13. These individuals may have been exposed to other risk factors like air pollution, occupational exposures, or chemicals.13

Usually, COPD is caused by long-term exposure or damage to the lungs. Other causes include:14

  • A family history of lung disease
  • Exposure to air pollution, dust, fumes, or chemicals (especially in the workplace)
  • Serious lung infections during childhood
  • Advancing age
  • A genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

If you have COPD, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. It won’t reverse the damage that has been done, but it can slow down how fast your symptoms get worse.1

In fact, studies show that people with COPD who quit smoking are less likely to be hospitalized and tend to have better long-term health compared to those who continue smoking.16

On the other hand, if you keep smoking, you may:

  • Have more frequent COPD flare-ups19
  • Spend more time in the hospital or at doctor’s appointments20
  • Experience more shortness of breath19
  • Shorten your life span16

There’s no easy answer to how long someone can live with COPD if they continue to smoke—it depends on many things, like the stage of your COPD, your overall health, and how much you smoke.1

What we do know is that smoking shortens your life. Studies show that people with COPD who continue to smoke are more likely to experience worsening symptoms, more frequent flare-ups, and a higher risk of early death compared to those who quit.16

If you’re wondering how your smoking habit may affect your health or life expectancy, talk openly with your doctor. They can help you understand your risks and work with you on a plan to quit. It’s never too late to benefit from stopping.2

The best way to reduce your risk of developing COPD is to avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke1. These can both do lasting harm to your airways and lungs.

But smoking isn’t the only cause of COPD. Some people develop the disease because of:

  • Genetics (like Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency)16
  • Childhood lung infections15
  • Long-term exposure to dust, fumes, or pollution13
  • Indoor cooking with biomass fuels18

This is why early detection matters. Catching COPD early and starting the right treatment can help protect your lungs from further damage and keep you feeling your best.1

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