November 14, 2012 / EverydayHealth.com /  — Smoking wreaks havoc on every organ in the body, contributing to a wide range of health problems, from heart disease to gum decay. The lungs in particular take a hit with every puff. Smoking is the primary cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, better known as COPD. This year, Nov. 14 and 15 mark World COPD Day and the Great American Smokeout, respectively, and the close proximity is no coincidence.

In the Americas, tobacco is tied to 7 in 10 deaths from COPD in people over 30, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO).

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