Since smoking-related illnesses are a serious health problem in Normark, and since addiction to nicotine prevents many people from quitting smoking, the government of Normark plans to reduce the maximum allowable quantity of nicotine per cigarette by half over the next five years. However, reducing the quantity of nicotine per cigarette will probably cause people addicted to nicotine to smoke more cigarettes. Therefore implementing this plan is unlikely to reduce the incidence of smoking related illnesses.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument about the consequences of implementing the Normarkian government's plan.

Correct answer marked below

Over half of the nonsmoking adults in Normark have smoked cigarettes in the past.

most cigarettes currently sold in Normark contain somewhat less than the maximum amount of nicotine permitted by law.

Inexpensive, smoke-free sources of nicotine, such as nicotine gum and nicotine skin patches, have recently become available in Normark.

Many smokers in Normark already spend a large proportion of their disposable income on cigarettes.

The main cause of smoking-related illnesses is not nicotine but tar in cigarette smoke.

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What this question tests

Whether you can identify the option that most bolsters an argument's conclusion.

Choosing an option that is consistent with the argument but adds no new support, or that shifts the topic.