Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is not a single disease but an umbrella term used to describe chronic lung diseases that cause airflow limitation including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The most common symptoms are breathlessness, or a 'need for air', excessive sputum production, and chronic cough .It is a major cause of chronic morbidity and the fourth leading cause of death all over the world. It is a preventable but not completely curable disease. Cigarette smoking, indoor air pollution and severe hereditary deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin are the most commonly encountered risk factors for COPD. Objectives: Reviewing the genetic and epidemiological bases of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, to recommend prevention and control program. Keywords: COPD, genetic, smoking