However, the factors which trigger the development of the disease are not fully understood.
It has been thought that the respiratory disorder only affected elderly people.
But a major survey of almost 18,000 people aged 20 to 44 at 35 centres in 16 countries has shown just the opposite.
The researchers found that the disease affects up to 10% of adults under the age of 45.
Young smokers were particularly at risk, and men were more affected than women.
Chronic bronchitis often gives rise to bouts of heavy bacterial infection, and can eventually lead to very serious problems with the respiratory system.
However, the factors which trigger the development of the disease are not fully understood.
The researchers, led by Professor Roberto de Marco, of the University of Verona, Italy, uncovered wide variations in the rate of chronic bronchitis.
At one of the test centres in Geleen in the Netherlands the rate was just 0.7%. But in Albacete, in Spain, the rate was 9.7%.
On the whole, 50% of the centres showed chronic bronchitis rates of over 2.6%.
Surprising figures
Dr de Marco said: "This is a high figure, considering the age of the subjects, and it took the researchers by surprise."
Moderate smokers were three-and-a-half times more likely to be affected by chronic bronchitis than non-smokers.
But heavy smokers were up to 17 times more at risk.
Smokers who developed the disease were also more likely to suffer complications, such as obstruction in the lungs.
The researchers stressed, however, that smoking was not the only risk factor for chronic bronchitis. Some 17% of sufferers did not smoke at all.
Other likely risk factors include poverty, and exposure to respiratory irritants.
However, childhood respiratory infection did not appear to be a factor.
The research is published in the European Respiratory Journal.