Vaping doubles risk of serious lung disease, even without smoking history study Professor Erwin Loh 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, Former Smokers Have Greater Chance of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Most Doctors Believe Vaping Causes COPD But Science Shows Otherwise Vaping Post