An Australian group named Action Council on Smoking and Health (ACSH) has recently lobbied to make warnings on cigarette packets more graphic. The council proposed that striking visual photos of diseased organs should be put on at least 50% of outside packaging, in conjunction with health warnings outlining smoking hazards enumerated in a separate leaflet placed inside the cigarette packet.  The ACSH claim that bland and ineffectual warnings like "Smoking is a health hazard" currently found on cigarette packets are not nearly sufficient.

Substituting those inadequate admonitions with explicit photos will provide a powerful visual stimulus to help smokers relinquish their habit.  The current cautions on cigarette packets have little or no impact on smokers who have grown immune to the warnings that focus on abstract tobacco related risks and illnesses from which smokers can easily disassociate themselves.  The proposed new tactics would concentrate on the perspective of the individual smoker through a demonstration of what is occurring in his body each time he reaches for a cigarette, rather than a generic cautionary word of advise.

The ACSH cited the results of recent studies conducted by psychologists at McKean University confirming that evidence related to one's own experience is more effective at influencing future behavior than a presentation of facts and figures. An further rationale for the addition of pictures to cigarette packages is the finding that smokers handle their packets 20-30 times a day, on average, thus, if graphic pictures on cigarette packets were introduced, smoker would have 20-30 chances to face the harsh reality of what damage they are doing to themselves each time they light up.

Even more essential than the pictures on the outside label, ACSH strongly advocate including warnings and helpful information in a leaflet inserted into the packet of cigarettes. Even an analgesic, ACSH adds, found in every bathroom cabinet has all possible side effects enumerated in the insert.  How much more imperative is it then when the substance in question is tobacco, a dried weed that contains highly noxious nicotine that society still accepts even though it kills one of every two of its users.

Fundamentally, what is at stake here is consumer rights. Smokers should know what substances they are inhaling, and what damage they are inflicting to their bodies, though surprisingly, even today, many do not. For this reason alone, the recommendation for more graphic pictures and warnings on cigarette packets, which many seem excessive, is being seriously considered.

1.    It can be inferred from the passage

(A) That cigarette manufacturers would comply with regulations ordering them to add graphic pictures of diseased organs to their outside packaging.

(B) That society will not continue to condone smoking if it is proven even more dangerous than was previously assumed.

(C) That smoking cigarettes causes damage to the internal organs of the body.

(D) That if the written warnings were less bland and ineffectual, smokers would not take more notice of them.

(E) That smokers look at their cigarette packages each time they take out a cigarette.

The best answer is C.  We do not have information about (A) (B) and (D) from the passage.  (E) is incorrect because the passage claims that smokers have an opportunity to look at their cigarette packages, not that they actually do.
 
2.    The author cites studies conducted at McKean University to account for why

(A) A presentation of facts and figures is more effective at influencing future behavior than evidence related to one's own experience.

(B) A presentation of facts and figures is less effective at influencing future behavior than evidence related to one's own experience.

(C) Evidence related to one's own experience has a more long-lasting effect than future behavior.
 
(D) The ACSH claim that graphic visual pictures of diseased organs would not be more effective than stating facts about the consequences to the body of long-term smoking.
 
(E) The ACSH claim that graphic visual pictures of diseased organs would not be less effective than stating facts about the consequences to the body of long-term smoking.
 
The best answer is E.  The author mentions the study as evidence presented by the ACSH to back their claim that visual pictures would be more effective than the present warning found on cigarette boxes.

3.    Which of the following, if true, would be most useful in supporting the claims made by the ACSH?

(A) There is firm evidence that information communicated in a textual format is more convincing than the same information conveyed in the form of visual depictions.
 
(B) There is firm evidence that information conveyed in the form of visual depictions is more convincing than the same information communicated in a textual format.  

(C) A study of over 3000 individuals shows a statistically significant relationship between levels of nicotine in cigarettes and pulmonary damage.  

(D) A study of over 3000 individuals shows a statistically significant relationship between smoking and pulmonary damage.  

(E) A survey reveals that 79% of smokers look at their cigarette packages when taking out a cigarette.

The best answer is B.  If smokers were more convinced of the dangers of smoker by pictures than by text, they would be more likely to be influenced by the pictures that the ACSH is proposing.

4.    The passage does NOT state which of the following about smoking warnings.

(A) Current graphic warnings are effective.

(B) The addition of graphic warnings would be an impetus to smokers to relinquish their habit.

(C) Current written warnings are not adequate.
   
(D) Current written warnings are not effective.
 
(E) Current written warnings are not as exhaustive as those that accompany common analgesics.
 
The best answer is A.  The passage does not say that current graphic warnings are effective since there are currently no graphic warnings, only written ones.