The lobbyists argued that because there is no statistical

[BTGmoderatorDC]

The lobbyists argued that because there is no statistical evidence that breathing other people's tobacco smoke increases the incidence of heart disease or lung cancer in healthy nonsmokers, legislation banning smoking in workplaces cannot be justified on health grounds.

Of the following, which is the best criticism of the argument reported above?


(A) It ignores causes of lung cancer other than smoking.

(B) It neglects the damaging effects of smoke-filled air on nonsmokers who are not healthy.

(C) It fails to mention the roles played by diet, exercise, and heredity in the development of heart disease.

(D) It does not consider the possibility that nonsmokers who breathe smoke-filled air at work may become more concerned about their health.

(E) It does not acknowledge that nonsmokers, even those who breathe smoke-filled air at work, are in general healthier than smokers.

OA B

Source: Official Guide

[deloitte247]

Premise: There is no statistical evidence that breathing other people's tobacco smoke increases the incidence of heart disease or lung cancer in healthy nonsmokers.

Conclusion: The legislature banning smoking in workplaces cannot be justified on health grounds.

Option A - Incorrect:
The argument is not concerned about other factors that cause lung cancer but on the legislature banning smoking in workplaces based on health grounds reason.

Option B - Correct:
The health effects of unhealthy nonsmokers are unknown in the passage as the argument tends to emphasize on heart disease or lung cancer in healthy nonsmokers, thereby, neglecting the damaging effect it can cause on unhealthy nonsmokers who inhale tobacco smoke unknowingly in workplaces.

Option C - Incorrect:
The roles of diet, exercise, and heredity in the development of heart disease is outside the scope of this argument. Therefore, it's incorrect.

Option D - Incorrect:
This is false with respect to the lobbyists' opinion since they are of the opinion that there is no significant health implication after inhaling tobacco smoke whether you are a smoker or nonsmoker because they believe there is no statistical evidence that breathing other people's tobacco smoke increases the incidence of heart disease or lung cancer in healthy nonsmokers,


Option E - Incorrect:
From the passage, "legislation banning smoking in workplaces cannot be justified on health grounds", so, we cannot ascertain if nonsmokers who breath smoke-filled air are healthier than smokers.