Inhaled tobacco smoke is a prime irritant to the mucous membranes of those airways. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, it travels along with the air and is breathed right to the alveoli and . . . Moreover, each inhalation of air contaminated with tobacco smoke provides that much less vital oxygen to the body. . . . I know several good chest specialists who refuse to treat emphysemics if they continue to smoke. Obley, supra , p 93.
Men get emphysema about six times more often than women do.
He may be in his late thirties or forties but usually he's over fifty. Emphysema and its associated diseases lower your resistance to other diseases, so you doctor will want to be especially alert. . . . He will want to know if you smoke and if your husband or wife smokes. Obley, supra , p 36. Obley, supra , p 37.