Question

The incidence of COPD in smokers is 25 per 1,000.

The incidence of COPD in non-smokers is 16 per 1,000.

What is the relative risk of COPD for smoking compared to not smoking? (Round to two decimal points)

Answer 1

The main risk factor for COPD is smoking. It causes up to 90 percent of COPD deaths, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). People who smoke are 13 times more likely to die from COPD than those who never smoked. Long term exposure to tobacco smoke is dangerous.Both people who currently do not smoke (non-smokers) and people who have never smoked (never-smokers) can get COPD. Other risk factors besides smoking help predict COPD in never-smokers. Four major risk factors for COPD are: Exposure to secondhand smoke: Being exposed to secondhand smoke as an adult can lead to COPD.