COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases) poses to exacerbations and se-rious illness. The Global Burden of Disease Study reports a prevalence of 251 mil-lion cases of COPD globally in 2016. Globally, it is estimated that 3.17 million deaths were caused by the disease in 2015 (that is, 5% of all deaths globally in that year). More than 90% of COPD deaths occur in low and middle income countries. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.A and it is one of the leading causes of death in the UK. Smoking is the main cause of COPD but a small number of cases are caused by exposure to fumes and chemicals. The disease kills approx-imately 23,000 people a year. The number of premature deaths is almost twice as high as the European average. The primary cause of COPD is exposure to tobacco smoke (either active smoking or second hand smoke). Other risk factors include exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution and occupational dusts and fumes. Exposure to indoor air pollution can affect the unborn child and represent a risk factor for developing COPD later in life. Some cases of COPD are due to long-term asthma. COPD is likely to increase in coming years due to higher smoking prevalence and aging populations in many countries. Many cases of COPD are preventable by avoidance or early cessation of smoking. Hence, it is important that countries adopt the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) and implement the MPOWER package of measures so that non-smoking becomes the norm global-ly. COPD is not curable, but treatment can relieve symptoms, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of death.