Mechmeera wrote:The increase in taxes on cigarettes next month will not limit the use of addictive tobacco products to the extent that health advocates hope. Many cigarette smokers will shift their spending to cigars and chewing tobacco when the law takes effect.

Which of the following, if true, would most strongly weaken the argument above?

A. Cigars and chewing tobacco can satisfy the nicotine cravings of most cigarette smokers.
B. The taste, smell, and texture of cigars and chewing tobacco are sufficiently different from those of cigarettes to deter cigarette smokers from using them.
C. Many health advocates themselves use tobacco products.
D. The government might also impose significant taxes on cigars and chewing tobacco over the course of two years.
E. Cigars and chewing tobacco are often more expensive than cigarettes.

DavidG@VeritasPrep wrote:

Mechmeera wrote:The increase in taxes on cigarettes next month will not limit the use of addictive tobacco products to the extent that health advocates hope. Many cigarette smokers will shift their spending to cigars and chewing tobacco when the law takes effect.

Which of the following, if true, would most strongly weaken the argument above?

A. Cigars and chewing tobacco can satisfy the nicotine cravings of most cigarette smokers.
B. The taste, smell, and texture of cigars and chewing tobacco are sufficiently different from those of cigarettes to deter cigarette smokers from using them.
C. Many health advocates themselves use tobacco products.
D. The government might also impose significant taxes on cigars and chewing tobacco over the course of two years.
E. Cigars and chewing tobacco are often more expensive than cigarettes.

The conclusion: after the tax, cigarette smokers will switch to cigars and chewing tobacco. The assumption here is that different tobacco products are interchangeable - a cigar can be substituted for a cigarette without any diminishment in the tobacco-user's enjoyment of the experience, so he'll simply use whatever is cheapest.

Look at answer choice B If cigarette smokers wouldn't enjoy the experience of smoking cigars or chewing tobacco, there's no reason to believe that they'll switch to these products in the event of a cigarette tax.

manik11 wrote: Hi Dave,
I eliminated E on the grounds that if Raising taxes on cigarettes increases the price of a cigarette and if cigar and chewing tobacco are more expensive than cigarette then a smoker would rather buy a cigarette than buy a cigar or chewing tobacco that would cost him almost the same or even more.

Is my reasoning correct?

Thanks
Manik