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.
Smoking marijuana may also cause COPD. People who inhale cooking fumes or have extended exposure to pollutants, such as workplace or environmental hazards, can also develop COPD. It is also believed that genes play a role in who develops COPD and how severe it is. One known genetic cause of COPD is alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.