The aim of the present study was the detection of H. pylori IgG, lgM, lgA antibodies in the serum of two groups of individuals. The first group consisted of 39 COPD patients and the second group consisted of 59 healthy individuals, 29 of whom were smokers and 30 non-smokers.The detection of H. pylori antibodies in the serum was performed using ELISA.The results did not confirm that there is a statistical difference in the incidence of H. pylori infection between the two groups. There is also no significant difference in the incidence of H. pylori infection (old or recent) between the subgroups of healthy individuals (smokers/non-smokers). Although smoking is a known contributor to the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease, it does not influence the incidence of H. pylori infection. Pneumon 2000, 13 (2): 161-165