Not just a smoker’s disease: Why COPD is catching up with non

For years, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — better known as COPD — has carried a reputation as a “smoker’s illness.” And while smoking is still one of its strongest risk factors, a new pattern is emerging: a growing number of people who’ve never touched a cigarette are now developing this chronic lung disease. So, what’s going on? Let’s take a deep breath and unpack this. Life in the city may feel lively and full of movement, but our lungs often pay the price. Breathing in traffic exhaust, dust from roads and buildings, and layers of polluted air day after day puts constant strain on the lungs — even for people who’ve never gone near a cigarette. Over time, this ongoing irritation leads to inflammation and scarring inside the airways — the same kind of damage once blamed only