Smoking and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia Image Smoking cigarettes has long been proven to cause severe lung damage, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and lung cancer. Over time, cigarette smoke destroys lung tissue, fills airways with tar, Health Effects of Cigarettes: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Smoking and Tobacco Use CDC Association of electronic cigarette use and risk of COPD: a systematic review and meta analysis npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine Chronic electronic cigarette exposure in mice induces features of COPD in a nicotine dependent manner Thorax