Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue."To the people who brought you 'The Great American Smokeout,' we make The Great American Challenge. We challenge the American Cancer Society to clean up the air in its 'smoke free' offices. We are willing to bet there isn't much cigarette smoking at American Cancer Society offices. But, according to a recent study from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), cigarette smoke also wasn't the problem in 98 percent of 203 buildings reported to have indoor air problems.... Indoor air inspections resulting from worker

Question

complaints typically find viruses, fungal spores, bacteria, gases, closed fresh air ducts, and ventilation systems in need of maintenance."-Full-page ad in USA Today, sponsored by the Tobacco Institute

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

A real, literal smokescreen! The Tobacco Institute is playing off reports of dangerous office environments, but the ad is meant to divert attention away from the even greater dangers of cigarette smoking. The ad may also hint that those who feel ill at the office should not blame the smoker; but the "Smokeout" was directed to actual smokers.