Electronic cigarette use and its association with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma COPD overlap syndrome among never cigarette smokers What are the respiratory effects of e cigarettes? The BMJ E cigarettes, vapes, juul, extwhatever you call them, they are not a better alternative to smoking. They still contain toxic chemicals that cause severe lung diseases. Start your quit plan today by call Cigarette smoke can reprogram cells in your airways, causing COPD to hang on after smoking ends