Heightened response to e cigarettes in COPD In people who had never smoked regular cigarettes, e cigarette use was associated with 75% higher odds of COPD, according to one study. Frontiers Inhalation of nicotine containing electronic cigarette vapor exacerbates the features of COPD by inducing ferroptosis in ENaC overexpressing mice Peter "But isn't vaping safer than smoking?" ! Vaping is a safe alternative! What Research Shows: 49% INCREASED RISK of developing COPD if you vape.