Smoking cigarettes has long been proven to cause severe lung damage, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and lung cancer. Over time, cigarette smoke destroys lung tissue, fills airways with tar, While vaping is not risk free, it is less harmful than tobacco Our World in Data What's the deal with vaping?. Why is everyone vaping? by Catherine Allen Medium Smoking and Vaping Among Young People U.S. Smoking Hits Record Low as Vaping, Pouches Rise