Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. mandate (v.) [man-deyt] –to require; to order someone to follow or do something
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. mandate (v.) [man-deyt] –to require; to order someone to follow or do something
Example: The law mandates everyone to pay taxes.
2. distinct (adj.) [dih-stingkt] – having a quality that is clearly different from others
Example: The model’s face can
be easily recognized because of her distinct
features.
3. implement (v.) [im-pluh-ment, -muhnt] – to start using or following
something
Example: The website will implement big changes to its design next month.
4. warning (n.) [wawr-ning] – something that informs someone of danger
Example: Today’s flights were
cancelled because of a storm warning.
5. forge (v.) [fawrj, fohrj] – to create or to copy something illegally
Example: The company fired the
employee who forged his employer’s signature.
Article
Read the text below.
Read the text below.
The highest court in Australia has defended a law that mandates cigarette companies to remove all distinct colors and logos from the packs.
The law, which will
be implemented starting December
1, 2012, says that cigarettes must be sold only in olive green packs with printed
warnings and images showing the health
dangers of smoking.
Australian
authorities say that with this law, the number of smokers in the country will
be reduced.
However, leading
global tobacco manufacturers such as British American Tobacco (BAT) and
Philip Morris are not in favor of the law.
Tobacco companies say
that removing their logos and trademarks will largely affect their profits.
The companies also
argue that removing their brand images is a violation of their intellectual
property rights. As owners of the logos, only companies have the right to
remove them on the packs.
Additionally, it would
be easier for fake product makers to forge
the packaging design mandated by law. Fake products could quickly enter the
market once the law is implemented.
But despite being against
the new rule, BAT says the companies will do their best to follow the law.
Australia’s new law
can be a threat to the cigarette industry worldwide especially if the countries with
major cigarette markets decide to follow. According to experts, Australia’s move
may encourage other countries such as New Zealand, India and UK that are
already thinking of introducing similar laws to reduce the number of smokers.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Do you think the new law could really reduce
the number of smokers? Why or why not?
·
What do you think are other ways to prevent
people from smoking?
Discussion B
·
Why is a product packaging important?
·
Can a product still be successful even if its
packaging looks the same as those of competing products? Why or why not?
