Vaping Predicted to Have Notable Impact on Europe's COPD Burden Respiratory Therapy 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, COPD and Vaping: Understanding the Risks and Long Term Effects Bar chart representing COPD GOLD stage changes over the study period. Download Scientific Diagram