Final answer:
a. Cigarette smoking accelerates the decline in pulmonary function tenfold.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement regarding pulmonary function is:
a. Cigarette smoking accelerates the decline in pulmonary function tenfold
Smoking cigarettes has a detrimental effect on the lungs and can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which leads to a decline in pulmonary function. Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals that impair the lungs' ability to function properly, including reducing the elasticity of the alveoli and damaging the cilia that help clear mucus from the airways. This acceleration of pulmonary function decline makes smoking cessation crucial for maintaining lung health.