From the description, I think COPD might be what my paternal grandfather died from. He smoked very heavily and it destroyed his body. He had to get wheeled around while permanently attached to an oxygen tank. Eventually he ended up in the hospital, where he lived... sorry that's not a good description, "lingered" in great pain, trying to breathe, until he finally succumbed. Along the way the family savings were wiped out to help pay for medical bills. All utterly preventable.
Even complete tobacco addicts like my grandfather can quit; I know because after he was given the "you're going to die soon" diagnosis, he completely gave up smoking. If only he would have quit earlier...