I know what you are saying, however more than 90% of the population is born with a form of emphysema, it just doesn't manifest itself in everyone.
I have known many lifelong non-smokers that have had complications from it, including a few deaths.
my work centers around pulmonary and respiratory impairments. i am familiar with the medical literature on this and emphysema can occur in nonsmokers but is primarily a smoking related disease. it is not untoward for them to mention his smoking history given his cause of death.