Smoking is still the most important risk factor for COPD.3
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable mortality in the developed world and is related to a wide spectrum of smoke-related diseases. Indeed, the 2004 US Surgeon General’s report reviewed data available linking active cigarette smoking to various diseases besides COPD
and determined that smoking can cause a broad range of pathologies, like cancer, complicated pregnancy, cataract, cardiovascular disease, reduced fertility and peptic ulcer disease.9