Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of major causes of chronic morbidity and mortality both in Poland and throughout the world. Tobacco smoking is one of the best documented risk factors for COPD. In critically ill patients symptoms associated with the withdrawal syndrome are particularly evident during the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation. The present study outlines the case of a patient treated in the anaesthesiology and intensive therapy unit due to respiratory failure secondary to ischaemic stroke, exacerbation of COPD and septic complications, with a documented history of nicotine dependence syndrome.