Research Links E Cigarettes to COPD and Hypertension Technology Networks Older users of e cigarettes at greater risk of respiratory illness, study suggests CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy 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, Exclusive E cigarette Use Significantly Associated with COPD RT