Can E cigarettes help COPD patients quit smoking and reduce harm to lungs? COPD and Vaping: Understanding the Risks and Long Term Effects 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) Are E Cigarettes a Safe Alternative to Smoking? Using Airway Cell Cultures to Assess Early Indicators of COPD Progression Inquiries Journal