While Smoking Is on the Decline in the United States

Multiple Choice

While smoking is on the decline in the United States, China is still puffing away madly. That's not because the government is eager to protect its citizens from the hazards of smoking. It's because China is eager to protect its own tobacco industry which is a state monopoly. Why did China announce in 2009 that it won't allow foreign companies to build new cigarette factories or enter joint ventures?

A) because China is concerned about the negative effects of smoking
B) because China wants to protect the economic profits its state monopoly makes
C) because China wants to protect jobs
D) because China regulates the tobacco industry