Limiting the Use of Tobacco Saves Lives

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. measure [MEZH-er] (n.) – something that is done to achieve a desired result

Example:  The government distributed mosquito nets in our town as a preventive measure against malaria.

2. predisposed [pree-di-SPOHZD] (adj.)  – prone to behave in a specific way

Example: The researchers found that among all the age groups, teenagers are the most predisposed to smoking.

3. peril [PER-uh l] (n.) – anything that will likely cause harm; a threat

Example: The doctor warned the woman about the perils of smoking and drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

4. vice [vahys] (n.) – a habit or practice that the society generally considers to be bad or undesirable

Example: The government started imposing greater taxes on products and services promoting vices like alcohol and tobacco.

5. double-down [DUHB-uh l doun] (idiom) - to double or increase one’s effort or commitment

Example: The mayor announced that his administration will double-down on lowering the crime rates in the city.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

According to the World Health Organization, certain tobacco control measures can help prevent millions of death around the world. The WHO announced that hundreds of millions of non-smokers are now less predisposed to start smoking because of successful anti-tobacco campaigns worldwide. The recent report says that three billion people are now covered by at least one of the WHO’s control measures against tobacco. In 2008, the organization announced its six tobacco control measures, commonly abbreviated as MPOWER. MPOWER includes monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from cigar smoke, offering help to quit smoking, warning people about the perils of tobacco, enforcing bans on advertising, and raising taxes on tobacco. Smoking is proven to cause cancer, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. According to the WHO, tobacco kills six million people every year─more than HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis combined. However, the WHO believes that this vice is the most preventable cause of death in the world. According to the report, 41 countries are now implementing at least one of the six MPOWER measures. Out of these countries, 24 have implemented total bans on tobacco advertising. The WHO wants to double down on the advertising ban as it is one of the most effective measures in limiting tobacco use. Douglas Betcher of the WHO said that countries implementing these control measures have already saved about 7.4 million lives since 2010. Some of these countries include China, Thailand, Turkey, and Australia.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you approve of making all forms of tobacco advertisements illegal? Why or why not?

·         Do you believe it is fair to raise taxes on vices like cigarettes and alcoholic beverages? Explain.

Discussion B

·         Why do you think some people have vices?

·         What is the best way to discourage young adults from having vices? Discuss with your tutor.

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