Final answer:
The false statement is that over half of high school students are smokers. Smoking rates among teens have declined, and second-hand smoke poses serious health risks to non-smokers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The false statement regarding tobacco smoking is: D. Over half of high school students are smokers. Statistics and various studies indicate that this statement is not accurate, as the rate of teen smoking has been on the decline. It is well-documented that smoking causes lung cancer and a myriad of other health issues such as cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and reduced fertility among others. Furthermore, second-hand smoke is also harmful, increasing the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers and causing respiratory infections in children. Many health risks are associated with smoking, including a significantly reduced life expectancy for smokers, but educational programs targeting the harmful effects of smoking have been only minimally effective at convincing smokers to quit.