A friend died from lung cancer, age 67. My grandfather died from emphysema, age 70. My wife's father died from lung cancer, age 72. My friend, age 84, is still living but both he and his wife have COPD and can hardly get enough breath to cross the road.

I'm 71, have never smoked, and haven't died yet. I don't have breathing problems.

My suggestion to anyone who smokes is to switch to vapes without so-called "flavor" additives. The nicotine and glycerin definitely won't kill you or affect your breathing.

But note: if you breathe, say, paint fumes through a cigarette or vape pen, that can produce toxic chemicals that are unlikely to be good for you.