What is considered an effect of exposure to tobacco smoke?

Exposure to tobacco smoke is widely acknowledged to significantly increase the risk of respiratory diseases. Tobacco smoke contains numerous harmful chemicals that can lead to various health issues, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer. The harmful particles and gases in tobacco smoke irritate and damage lung tissues, impairing lung function over time.

This risk is particularly evident in both smokers and non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke, which can also cause respiratory infections and exacerbation of asthma. Thus, the association between tobacco smoke exposure and respiratory diseases is well-documented in medical literature, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

The other options suggest either improvements in health or a lack of significant impact, which contradict the established evidence on the adverse effects of tobacco smoke.