Critical Reasoning

In the past, every ten-percentage-point increase in cigarette prices in the country of Coponia has decreased per capita sales of cigarettes by four percent. Coponia is about to raise taxes on cigarettes by 9 cents per pack. The average price of cigarettes in Coponia is and has been for more than a year 90 cents per pack. So the tax hike stands an excellent chance of reducing per capita sales of cigarettes by four percent.
Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?

A.Tobacco companies are unlikely to reduce their profit per pack of cigarettes to avoid an increase in the cost per pack to consumers in Coponia.
B.Previous increases in cigarette prices in Coponia have generally been due to increases in taxes on cigarettes.
C.Any decrease in per capita sales of cigarettes in Coponia will result mainly from an increase in the number of people who quit smoking entirely.
D.At present, the price of a pack of cigarettes in Coponia includes taxes that amount to less than ten percent of the total selling price.
E.The number of people in Coponia who smoke cigarettes has remained relatively constant for the past several years.

b?

Seems B only!

More close to B but I was also confused with E.
"per capita" is dependant on Number of people who smoke ?any other views?Whats the OA?

answer is C , read the question carefully

B/w D and E

I choose E...
(Past == present)
OA?

imo E

if the population stays constant and cigarette consumption decreases then the consumption per capita decreases.

For example - population = 1000

consumption = 100,000 cigarette packs

per capita consumption (consumption per person) = 100,000/1000 = 100

if population stays constant = 1000

consumption decreases to 80,000

per capita consumption = 80,000/1000 = 80 (therefore, per capita consumption decreased)

Hence, imo E

IMO E.

The explanation same as Rohangupta

I guess the answer should be A

IMO A

A.Tobacco companies are unlikely to reduce their profit per pack of cigarettes to avoid an increase in the cost per pack to consumers in Coponia.

If tobacco companies can reduce their profit .. then a tax hike will not increase price .. thus will not decrease consumption....

I tried denial test....

Please correct me if im wrong...

Whts the OA..??

What is the officail answer?

I think A is the answer for the same reasons stated by nervesofsteel.

B for me

I also vote for B

Conclusion:
So the tax hike stands an excellent chance of reducing per capita sales of cigarettes by four percent.
increased taxes ---> decrease per capeta sales

If taxes were nor the only reason for decreased sales then conclusion will not work.

B.Previous increases in cigarette prices in Coponia have generally been due to increases in taxes on cigarettes.
Negate:
Previous increases in cigarette prices in Coponia have NOT generally been due to increases in taxes on cigarettes.
Conclusion doest work here

Why B is wrong IMO

every ten-percentage-point increase in cigarette prices in the country of Coponia has decreased per capita sales of cigarettes by four percent

The conclusion says every 10% hike in prices ... will lead to decrease in consumption... It doesn't matter the increase is due to Taxes or Something else...

IMO A