As an institution the British public house, usually called a pub, has a very long tradition of selling alcoholic drinks, in particular beer, which people consume on the premises. In recent years, however, profits of British pubs have fallen by 20 per cent and many have reported a further worsening of their financial state since the introduction of a new law and a series of tax increases. The new law involved the banning of smoking in public places and this has led to a marked decrease in pub custom. The increase in taxes involves a series of above-inflation rises in the duty charged on alcohol sold both in pubs and off- licences (the name of licensed premises allowed to sell alcohol for home consumption) that has markedly increased the cost of drinking alcohol. The combined effect of the smoking ban and increase in the alcohol duty are reported to have led to the loss of many jobs in the pub trade.
Question: It is reasonable to infer that some pubs are operating at a loss or at no profit.
Options:
A. true, B. false, C. uncertain
Answer: B