【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. enforce /ɛnˈfɔrs, -ˈfoʊrs/ (v.) – to order a rule or regulation to be obeyed or followed
Example: Our company enforces anti-smoking in the workplace by checking each employee’s possessions for cigarettes.
2. standardize /ˈstæn dərˌdaɪz/ (v.) – to create a certain standard
Example: The school standardized the uniforms of boys and girls.
3. typeset /ˈtaɪpˌsɛt/ (n.) – a type of text; font
Example: The new typeset on the cigarette packaging was difficult to read.
4. chain smoker /ˈtʃeɪn ˈsmoʊ kər/ (n.) – someone who smokes cigarettes as a habit
Example: She is a chain smoker because she smokes a cigarette after every time she eats.
5. flaunt /flɔnt/ (v.) – to present something or someone (i.e. oneself) in an attention-seeking way
Example: Her friends flaunt their smoking habit; that’s why she is often pressured to smoke.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
The French health minister plans to enforce new regulations on cigarette packaging as part of an effort to fight the harmful trend and health consequences of smoking.
An anti-smoking draft bill has been submitted to the French Parliament that includes a proposal to standardize cigarette packs. French health minister Marisol Touraine [mah-RIH-sol TOO-reyn], who is leading the bill, says that the bill would require cigarette packs to be identical in size, shape, color, and lettering. Brand names would still be printed on the packs but in a standard typeset.
If passed, the bill would go hand in hand with the European Union (EU) laws on health warning prints. These laws require all EU countries to have graphic images of health warnings printed on most of the cigarette packaging.
According to statistics, roughly 13 million of the French population are chain smokers. France also has the highest rate of underage smoking. Touraine stressed that the country’s death rate from smoking-related illnesses is 73,000 per year. Her bill aims to discourage the youth from smoking, decrease the number of smokers, and reduce the commercial influences of tobacco companies.
The plain-packaging regulation was first implemented in Australia two years ago. Today, Australian cigarettes are sold in brown packaging with plain text and no brand names. Health warning signs and images are emphasized.
Research data show that the regulation has proven to be effective. Australia experienced a 15-percent drop of smokers between 2010 and 2013. Experts say that because of the lack of brand names, smokers no longer flaunt their packs, thereby lessening the tobacco companies’ advertising from the usage of smokers.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Do you think your country needs to have smoking restrictions like France and Australia? Why or why not?
· If you were to establish a law against smoking in your country, what would your law be like? Please explain your answer.
Discussion B
· How would you personally discourage the youth from smoking? Please explain your answer.
· What would you say is the main influence that makes people want to smoke? Please explain your answer.