An electronic cigarette with a lung capacity detection function and a control method. The electronic cigarette comprises a control module (10) used for controlling the electronic cigarette to atomize cigarette liquid, a flow sensor (20) used for detecting an air flow volume exhaled or inhaled by a user and generating a flow signal, and a prompting module (30) used for generating prompting information. The flow sensor (20) and the prompting module (30) are respectively connected to the control module (10). The control module (10) is also used for controlling, according to the flow signal, the prompting module (30) to generate prompting information. The electronic cigarette has effects of prompting the user so as to protect health of the user and making functions of a production diversified.