The Link Between Smoking and COPD
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), one of the most important things you can do for your health is to stop smoking. COPD is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. It includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which cause damage to the lungs over time.
Smoking is the number one cause of COPD. It also makes the disease progress faster and the symptoms worse. The good news? Quitting smoking can help slow the disease and improve your quality of life—no matter how long you've smoked.
How Smoking Leads to COPD
COPD is a lung condition that makes it hard to breathe. It includes two main problems: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking damages the lungs in several ways:
Irritates and Inflames Airways: Smoke causes swelling in the airways, making it harder for air to pass through.
Destroys Lung Tissue: Cigarette smoke damages the small air sacs (called alveoli) in the lungs. These are crucial for getting oxygen into the blood.
Builds Up Mucus: Smoking increases mucus production, which can block airways and cause coughing and infections.
According to the CDC, more than 75% of COPD cases are linked to smoking. Even being around secondhand smoke can increase the risk.
Why Quitting Smoking Helps
It’s never too late to quit smoking. Whether you’ve had COPD for years or were just diagnosed, quitting can:
Help your lungs work better
Reduce coughing and shortness of breath
Lower your chances of flare-ups and hospital visits
Improve blood pressure and heart health
The sooner you stop, the better—but quitting at any stage can help you feel better and stay more active.
Tips and Resources to Help You Quit
Quitting smoking isn’t easy, especially if you’ve smoked for a long time. But there are tools and support available to help. Here are a few ways to get started:
Talk to Your Doctor: They can recommend treatments like nicotine patches, gum, or medication.
Make a Plan to Quit: Pick a quit date and prepare by removing cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays from your home.
Tell Friends and Family: Having support from loved ones can keep you motivated.
Use a Quitline: Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to talk to a trained coach who can help you stay on track.
Try a Support Group: Join others who are also trying to quit, either in person or online.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers a helpful brochure: COPD and Smoking: My Plan to Quit.
How to Handle Smoking Cravings
Cravings are a normal part of quitting smoking. The good news is they don’t last forever. Here are a few ways to fight the urge:
Delay: Wait 10 minutes when a craving hits. Often, it will pass.
Distract yourself: Go for a short walk, call a friend, or drink a glass of water.
Do Some Deep Breathing: Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. This can calm your body and mind.
Chew Something: Keep your mouth busy with gum, mints, or crunchy snacks like carrots.
Change Your Routine: If you usually smoke after meals or with coffee, try doing something different—like taking a walk or calling a loved one.
You’re Not Alone
Many people with COPD have successfully quit smoking—even after decades. It’s okay to try more than once. Every quit attempt gets you one step closer to living smoke-free. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Quitting is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone.
COPD doesn’t have to define your future. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to take back control of your health. With support, the right tools, and a solid plan, you can breathe easier and feel better. Start today—your lungs will thank you.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention: How to Quit Smoking
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: COPD and Smoking: My Plan to Quit
Mayo Clinic: Quitting smoking