COPD and Vaping: Understanding the Risks and Long Term Effects For the first time, Vaping has been linked to new diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which is an irreversible lung disease and the fourth leading cause of death in New Zealand., Vaping Marijuana Causes More Lung Damage Than Vaping or Smoking Nicotine Elevated risk of developing COPD with e cigarette use: Study Vaping can lead to organ failure, a new study shows. Researchers found that vapers are 50% more likely to develop serious infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) a condition that November is COPD Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Learn about the potential relationship between vaping and COPD.