Plain packaging tobacco
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Plain packaging tobacco
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[post_date] => 2025-01-07 00:56:16
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[post_content] => Practice Passage (Question 1-6)
*This passage is the property of Khan Academy and has been reformatted into an AAMC-style interface in their entirety by MedLife Mastery. MedLife Mastery does not endorse and is not an affiliate of Khan Academy.
One of the latest legal challenges comes for Australia, who had the courage to move forward on what is probably the most important tobacco control measure today: plain packaging. Like in Canada with the introduction of graphic health warnings, it is easy to celebrate the victory after the fact, but it doesn’t show the world the long and hard battle it took to get there. One of the reasons the tobacco industry will fight so hard against such measures is that they tend to snowball: since 2001, when Canada introduced the first graphic health warnings, 77 jurisdictions across the world have followed suit, from India to Nepal and Turkey to Mexico. If plain packaging snowballs in a similar fashion – and we should all make sure it does – then it could spell the beginning of the end of the tobacco industry.
For those of us who don’t smoke and live in countries where tobacco packs are now hidden in shops (another crucial measure, as large displays of packages are nothing short of blatant advertising), it is hard to know how pretty, glitzy, modern and attractive tobacco packages can be. Bright blue and green like iPods, long and slender packages that look like lipstick boxes, attractive flavouring and shiny packages with alluring names: a package is a mini-billboard, that is still allowed even in nations with comprehensive advertising bans, and that is carried by the smoker, being shown to friends on repeated occasions. Plain packaging is the logical extension of an advertising ban to protect our youth and our populations, and brings a bit of truth to the world of tobacco. It forces a deadly product to be sold in a box that accurately represents the harm it can create, instead of in a shiny box that promotes an attractive lifestyle and positive values.
Plain packaging has now been in place for over two years, and we have seen smoking rates dive in Australia, as well as a rise in quitline calls, an increase in the average age of initiation to smoking (a crucial indicator, since most smokers start as children and smokers that start early have a harder time quitting) and growth in support for the measure. The industry will work hard to mask this success, but it is an obvious victory for public health to anyone willing to look at proper data. Even more promising, a series of countries are now considering plain packaging or plan to introduce it, including Norway very recently, the UK, Ireland, France, and New Zealand. While we have yet to see them implement it, such strong statements should give hope and inspire more countries to take steps towards plain packaging. The data from Australia are clear: plain packaging works.
As we enter an important year for global development and health, let’s not forget an important battle – one that is far from over. Strong, clear and progressive anti-tobacco policies are the logical thing to do and the right thing to do. The need is great and the evidence is there. But even so, we should not think this will ever be an easy fight. In the battle against tobacco, advocates have long referred to the scream test: if the industry screams high and loud, then the measure will likely be effective and save lives. For plain packaging, never has the industry screamed louder. We should all take note, remain focused and make sure we continue to make progress in this important global effort.
[post_title] => Plain packaging tobacco
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[questions] => Array
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[0] => Array
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[quiz_unique_key] => 578908434
[question] => Assume that in addition to packaging regulations, the Australian government simultaneously spent millions of dollars on an anti-smoking media campaign? If true, how would this affect the arguments expressed in the passage?
[value] => Array
(
[answer] => 3
[description] => Reason for the Correct Answer:
This is a “Reasoning Beyond the Text” question, which means that it wants you to either apply or extrapolate the ideas in the passage to new situations or to assess how new information would impact the ideas presented in the passage. It is important to understand the assumptions underlying the article, and how new information may or may not shift the central thesis.
In paragraph 3, the author argues that the reduction in smoking rates in Australia is evidence that plain packaging actually reduces tobacco use. However, if the initial enactment of the regulations occurred alongside other aggressive public health measures, this would weaken the author’s argument that the reduction in tobacco use was actually due to the plain packaging (option 3). In the presence of a large media campaign, perhaps the government would have seen the same results without targeting plain packaging. However if the only data is in context of both media campaigns and plain packaging, then the author cannot comment on the value of either alone (options 1 and 2). The value of graphic warning is not affected by the new data (option 4).
Option 3 is correct.
)
[answers] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[each_answer] => A. The author should still propose that other countries adopt plain packaging policies.
)
[1] => Array
(
[each_answer] => B. The author should assume that anti-smoking media campaigns are more important than packaging regulations.
)
[2] => Array
(
[each_answer] => C. The author should conclude that cigarette packaging may not play as crucial a role in reducing smoking rates.
)
[3] => Array
(
[each_answer] => D. The author should question the value of graphic health warnings.
)
)
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[1] => Array
(
[quiz_unique_key] => 3873426850
[question] => The tone of the passage is BEST described as:
[value] => Array
(
[answer] => 4
[description] => Reason for the Correct Answer:
This is a “Foundations of Comprehension” question which is asking you to recognize an accurate paraphrase or summary of the central theme or of particular statements in the passage, or to interpret word choices made by the author.
While the passage does give the reader a lot of information about policy and effects of cigarette packaging laws in Australia, the author also has a very strong personal opinion about the issue and repeatedly pushes for a particular political policy. The author uses phrases like “courage”, “deadly product”, “fight”, “battle”, and “we should all make sure”, indicating that the author is not merely conveying information (option 1), but is also promoting a point of view and advocating a political policy (option 4). The author is praising the “progress” and “promising” results already achieved and argues that if the policy is already successful in Australia spreads that it could bring an end to the industry. This conveys optimism rather than pessimism (option 2). . Although the author portrays the tobacco industry quite negatively and as dishonest, he does not convey these sentiments through mockery or sarcasm (option 3).
Option 4 is correct.
)
[answers] => Array
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[0] => Array
(
[each_answer] => A. Informative
)
[1] => Array
(
[each_answer] => B. Pessimistic
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[2] => Array
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[each_answer] => C. Sarcastic
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[3] => Array
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[each_answer] => D. Advocative
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[2] => Array
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[quiz_unique_key] => 83407773
[question] => Which of the following assumptions is MOST necessary to the author’s central argument?
[value] => Array
(
[answer] => 1
[description] => Reason for the Correct Answer:
This is a “Reasoning Within the Text” question. These items generally ask you to think about the author’s reasoning, such as what claim an author is trying to support with a piece of evidence, what assumption underlies a specific statement, or whether an argument is flawed.
In paragraph 3 the author argues that because of plain packaging, smoking rates have declined and the “initiation age” for smokers has increased. Thus, the author argues that there is a connection between the way that cigarettes are packaged, and the likelihood that consumers will buy cigarettes. The author is arguing for a change in packaging laws that could bring “the end of the tobacco industry.” The critical assumption is that plain packaging has a direct causal influence on consumer decision-making (option 1). Without this assumption, the policy the author is arguing for would not achieve the desired outcome. Although the author implies that glitzy packaging masks “the harm it can do”, the main focus is on how it “promotes an attractive lifestyle and positive values”. Thus, even if plain packaging does not convey “danger” (option 2), the author presents other reasons why it would reduce smoking. While it is true that the author mentions that “most smokers start as children” (option 3), this is not required for the central argument to make sense. Rather, the author cites the increase in age of initiation due to plain packaging as one piece of evidence that the policy works. Also, the fact that tobacco companies “work hard to mask this success” of the policy (option 4) is not relevant to why the policy is assumed to work.
Option 1 is correct.
)
[answers] => Array
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[0] => Array
(
[each_answer] => A. People are less likely to buy cigarettes wrapped in plain packaging.
)
[1] => Array
(
[each_answer] => B. Cigarettes wrapped in fancy packaging appear less dangerous.
)
[2] => Array
(
[each_answer] => C. Most smokers start as children.
)
[3] => Array
(
[each_answer] => D. The cigarette industry tries to misrepresent the effects of government policies.
)
)
)
[3] => Array
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[quiz_unique_key] => 872728905
[question] => Which of the following government regulations BEST represents the kind of “logical extension of an advertising ban” described by the passage author?
[value] => Array
(
[answer] => 3
[description] => Reason for the Correct Answer:
This is a “Reasoning Beyond the Text” question, which means that it wants you to either apply or extrapolate the ideas in the passage to new situations or to assess how new information would impact the ideas presented in the passage. It is important to understand the assumptions underlying the article, and how new information may or may not shift the central thesis.
In paragraph 2, the author argues that the colorful and aesthetically appealing cigarette packages are like “mini-billboard[s]…being shown to friends on repeated occasions.” In the same paragraph the author also writes that displays of tobacco packages “are nothing short of blatant advertising.” Thus, it is clear that the author believes that product packaging can be a form of advertising by grabbing the attention of the consumer, either because it is aesthetically pleasing or because it is in clear view (option 3). The coffee (option 1) industry regulations are meant to be informative, and do not impact the aesthetics or visibility of the packaging. An ordinance limiting the amount of soda (option 4) or banning smoking in certain places may reduce consumption, but by impacting where and how much the product can be consumed after the time of purchase, rather than reducing purchases by restricting advertising to a potential consumer.
Option 3 is correct.
)
[answers] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[each_answer] => A. The coffee industry must indicate where beans are sourced on packaging.
)
[1] => Array
(
[each_answer] => B. Smoking is banned in bars and restaurants.
)
[2] => Array
(
[each_answer] => C. Grocery stores are prohibited from displaying candy at the check-out.
)
[3] => Array
(
[each_answer] => D. An ordinance bans sodas larger than 20 ounces from being sold in fast food restaurants.
)
)
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[4] => Array
(
[quiz_unique_key] => 3143847772
[question] => It can be inferred from the passage that the author most likely believes that once plain packaging goes global:
[value] => Array
(
[answer] => 3
[description] => Reason for the Correct Answer:
This is a “Foundations of Comprehension” question which is asking you to recognize an accurate paraphrase or summary of the central theme or of particular statements in the passage, or to interpret word choices made by the author.
In paragraph 4, the author is clear that the fight against tobacco is a long fight, and in paragraph 1 writes, “If plain packaging snowballs in a similar fashion – and we should all make sure it does – then it could spell the beginning of the end of the tobacco industry.” Thus, the author believes it will cause a drop in sales drastic enough to virtually end the production and sale of tobacco products (option 3). The author says nothing about other future policies (option 2). No mention is made of lung cancer or that smoking is the sole cause of it (option 1). There is also no suggestion that the cigarette industry will become more truthful about the health effects of smoking (option 4).
Option 3 is correct.
)
[answers] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[each_answer] => A. Lung cancer will be a thing of the past.
)
[1] => Array
(
[each_answer] => B. The next step will be criminalizing smoking.
)
[2] => Array
(
[each_answer] => C. Global sales in cigarettes will drop drastically.
)
[3] => Array
(
[each_answer] => D. The cigarette industry will be more truthful about health issues.
)
)
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[5] => Array
(
[quiz_unique_key] => 3143847772
[question] => In the passage, the author tries to justify Australia’s plain packaging regulations with which of the following reasons:
[value] => Array
(
[answer] => 1
[description] => Reason for the Correct Answer:
This is a “Reasoning Within the Text” question. These items generally ask you to think about the author’s reasoning, such as what claim an author is trying to support with a piece of evidence, what assumption underlies a specific statement, or whether an argument is flawed.
The author argues in paragraph 2 that fancy packaging (NOT plain packaging as option 2 states) associates cigarettes with an attractive lifestyle and positive values. Paragraph 3 tells us that while many countries are considering adopting plain packaging regulations for the cigarette industry, they have yet to do so (option 3). The statement in paragraph 1 that plain packaging is the most important tobacco adoption control measure today (option 4) is a policy suggestion, and is not a statement of fact used as evidence to support the author’s position. In paragraph 3, the author writes that since the plain packaging regulations have been implemented, “the average age of initiation to smoking [has risen] (a crucial indicator, since most smokers start as children and smokers that start early have a harder time quitting)” (option 1).
Option 1 is correct.
)
[answers] => Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[each_answer] => A. The average age people smoke for the first time increased.
)
[1] => Array
(
[each_answer] => B. Plain packaging promotes an attractive lifestyle and positive values.
)
[2] => Array
(
[each_answer] => C. Most countries have already enacted plain packaging laws.
)
[3] => Array
(
[each_answer] => D. It is the most important tobacco control measure today.
)
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[559877|5] => C
[559877|6] => A
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