Association of electronic cigarette use and risk of COPD: a systematic review and meta analysis npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine 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, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Temple Health Electronic Cigarette Use Linked to Higher COPD Risk in US, Study Says