all smoker have rbild which is histologically distinct but similar to BO.

Niewoehner DE, Kleinerman J, Rice DB. Pathologic changes in the peripheral airways of young cigarette smokers. N Engl J Med. 1974;291:755–88. doi:

Thank you David.  Is it then conceivable that BO would not be expected to be seen/reported in smokers because there is already ample ribald present?  i.e. one cannot have the two pathologies concurrently going on?

Diagnosis is your key. Agreed procedures for post-mortem pathology and the persistence of pathologists to diagnosis may not be standardized.