Which statement is accurate regarding smoking and health?

The statement that smoking increases the risk of chronic diseases is accurate because extensive research has established a clear link between tobacco use and a wide range of serious health issues. Smoking is known to significantly elevate the risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and various types of cancer, including lung cancer. This is due to the numerous toxic substances present in tobacco smoke that cause damage to the body over time, leading to chronic health problems. Understanding this connection underscores the importance of smoking cessation as a critical public health strategy to reduce the burden of chronic diseases.

The other statements do not hold true because smoking does have detrimental effects on respiratory health, is harmful on its own, and is not considered safe at any level of consumption.