1 Joan, Princess of Wales, in the 13th century, the wife and consort of Llywelyn the Great, the Prince of Wales; and the daughter of King John of England. Joan, Princess of Wales, in the 13th century, the wife and consort of Llywelyn the Great, the Prince of Wales; and the daughter of King John of England.
1 More than 90% of COPD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. 2  The primary cause of COPD is tobacco smoke (through tobacco use or second-hand smoke).  The disease now affects men and women almost equally, due in part to increased tobacco use among women in high-income countries.
The most common cause of emphysema is cigarette smoking, although rare forms of emphysema may occur in non-smokers. Emphysema may be present with other lung diseases, such as chronic bronchitis and asthma.Like emphysema, these diseases are made worse by cigarette smoking.Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are often grouped together and commonly called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exposure to air pollution and noxious particles or gases could also cause or worsen these conditions.he most common cause of emphysema is cigarette smoking, although rare forms of emphysema may occur in non-smokers. Emphysema may be present with other lung diseases, such as chronic bronchitis and asthma.