My understanding:
plausible: it is possible to make reasonable case for that argument.
possible: is capable of becoming true, though it’s not always reasonable.
The logic of possible nicotine link seems completely clear on the basis of current nt knowledge. That does not mean it exists or is important. Somebody has to look into it.
Smoking has declined by at least half in the last fifty years in the United States. Also not a small effect!
"Very plausible" here means "someone should really do a study where they correlate for lower levels of nicotine use and see if there's anything left to explain".
I can't imagine anyone would see "very plausible" and think the explanation should be accepted without investigation. That's just not what that phrase means.
> Smoking has ...
Neither I, nor anyone in this thread, has contested the existence of evidence to support this claim.
> "Very plausible" here means ...
Why does "plausible" not suffice?
> I can't imagine anyone would see "very plausible" and think the explanation should be accepted without investigation. That's just not what that phrase means.
I didn't suggest otherwise.