(File photo)While declining smoking rates could see a drop in chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), the prevalence of vaping has experts concerned a “new COPD epidemic” could be on the horizon. University of Auckland researchers are pioneering a new approach to understanding COPD through modelling, to predict how the disease will progress in different people. READ MORE:* Auckland researchers build virtual lungs to better diagnose and treat patients* Dr Cathy Stephenson: COPD – a silent issue? SUPPLIED University of Auckland researchers Justin O'Sullivan and Merryn Tawhai are pioneering a new approach to the understanding of COPD. “It’s quite possible that a person who is a lifetime vaper will develop something that is very similar to COPD,” Tawhai said.

Source: Stuff June 29, 2021 23:37 UTC