Smoking is not just a problem for smokers, it is actually a public health menace that should be banned in all public places. It is a fact that smokers die an average of eight years earlier than non-smokers and about half of those who smoke die from some kind of smoke-related health problem. Smoking is known to cause various types of cancer, breathing problems, as well as heart and blood vessel problems. However, these problems don't affect only smokers. They affect anyone who inhales cigarette smoke. Waiters and waitresses who work in restaurants and bars, and children who live with smoking parents are prime examples. When it comes to the physiological effects of smoking, there is no difference be-tween an active and a passive smoker. Banning public smoking will not only improve the health of innocent bystanders, it will also reduce how much impressionable kids are exposed to the concept of smoking. It was once commonplace for characters in movies to smoke, but now it is almost unheard of.

I. Word List

menace: a big problem

banned: not allowed

inhale: to take into the body

passive smoker: someone who gets second-hand smoke from a smoker

impressionable: easily influenced by other people

II. Answer the following questions.

1. What reasons does the writer give for banning public smoking?

___________________________________________________________.

2. Do you agree that smoking should be banned in all public places? Why or why not?

___________________________________________________________.

3. Do you think it is important that characters in movies don't smoke? Why or why not?

___________________________________________________________.

4. Do a lot of people in your country smoke?

___________________________________________________________.

5. Do you think the number of people in your country who smoke is in-creasing or decreasing?

III. What's the word? Find the correct words in the reading.

1. a serious disease - c _ _ _ _ _

2. people who are not doing anything - b _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3. to get better - i _ _ _ _ _ _

4. idea - c _ _ _ _ _ _

5. something that is true - f _ _ _

IV. Which word doesn't belong? In each group, circle the word that is different from the others.

1. ban allow stop disallow

2. restaurant bar club house

3. walk smoke drink eat

4. waitress waiter doctor bartender

5. movie TV show documentary book