Your brother could be suffering from asthma and COPD as there is history of childhood lung infection and smoking both of which are causes of COPD. He may also be suffering from allergy/asthma. He should undergo a PFT test to know the severity of COPD. He must stop smoking as this is the most important part of the treatment. Yes inhalers are the first line of treatment for COPD but there are other drugs like theophyllins. Treatment depends on the severity of illness and acute exacerbations. He should be under care of a pulmonologist for proper treatment and it`s monitoring.

Hi,
Welcome to HCM
Your brother is Asthamatic and may be he has some component like Pulmonary obstructive disease but as you said he is not smoker.
He should be investigated properly to know allergic etiology and reversibility of bronchospasm by PFT ( Pulmonary function Test) serum IGE level to know allergy, he can also get allergy test in vitro and can avoid those allergens.
Inhalation therapy is cornerstone in treatment of asthma,which will help him if find difficult may use a Nebulizer to get proper deposition of drug in lungs.
Inhaled corticosteroids or oral corticosteroid may also help him
There are other preventive medicines like montelucast.,once his symptoms are controlled he should practice pranayam and yoga. At least deep breathing exercises.
A chronic lung disease in advance stages can cause right heart failure.
It is the chest Physician/Pulmonologist who will decide inhalers are Ok or he needs other drugs also.
Take care
Good Luck