2007年VOA标准英语-England Bans Smoking in Closed Public Places

By Delana Gbenekama
London
09 July 2007
 

It is the beginning of a new era for smokers² in England. No more lighting³ up in closed public places, including in pubs and private clubs. Other parts of Britain already have such bans. Delana Gbenekama reports from London.

Smokers. They used to be easy to spot -- in pubs, restaurants, offices. But that is changing.

A new smoking ban against lighting up in enclosed public spaces went into effect July 1st. It is part of the government's efforts to reduce smoke-related illnesses and death. Liam Donaldson of the Health Department says the ban will save thousands of lives.

"We have already introduced a wide range of measures to control tobacco-related disease, including restricting advertising⁴ and promotion⁵ of tobacco,” says Donaldson. “But secondhand smoke, exposing people who don't smoke to the cancer-causing effects and adverse⁶ effects of cigarette smoke is something that we wanted to stop."

British pub worker

Businesses can no longer have smoking rooms. And they must display "no smoking" signs and maintain smoke-free work vehicles.  Those who fail to meet these requirements face fines of more than $5,000.  For non-smokers here in London, the ban brings sighs of relief.

"I don't smoke, but I work in a pub,” says a pub worker. “So, oftentimes you go home smelling of smoke. Yes, from my point of view, it's going to be good that I won't go home smelling of smoke so much."

Others see the ban as an opportunity to quit smoking.  "I have been smoking for nearly about 10 to 12 years now,” says a smoker¹. “For me it's a positive ban which in a way is a blessing⁷ in disguise because I have been trying with nicotine⁸ patches and chewing gums."

 

But the smokers' advocate group FOREST -- short for Freedom Organization for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco -- vows⁹ to fight the ban. Spokesman Simon Clark.  "The idea that the rights of smokers and the rights of non-smokers are mutually exclusive is absolute nonsense,” says Clark. “With modern, up-to-date ventilation systems, you can accommodate smokers and non-smokers quite happily."

The Health Department predicts that about 600,000 people will kick the habit as a result of the ban. But it is not expected to have a long-term impact on the $24 billion U.K. tobacco industry.

Chris Ogden

Chris Ogden of the Tobacco Manufacturers' Association says, "There will be an initial dip in sales,” says Ogden. “For example, in Scotland when the ban came in about a year ago, initially¹⁰ there was about a four percent drop, although that's recovered. And we expect the same sort of thing to happen here."

Opponents of smoking say they will now be able to enjoy a smoke-free environment. But for smokers, it means either quit or move outdoors to light up.

1 smoker   

n.吸烟者，吸烟车厢，吸烟室

参考例句：

• His wife dislikes him to be a smoker.他妻子不喜欢他当烟民。
• He is a moderate smoker.他是一个有节制的烟民。

2 smokers   

吸烟者( smoker的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Many smokers who are chemically addicted to nicotine cannot cut down easily. 许多有尼古丁瘾的抽烟人不容易把烟戒掉。
• Chain smokers don't care about the dangers of smoking. 烟鬼似乎不在乎吸烟带来的种种危害。

3 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。

4 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。

5 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

6 adverse   

adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的

参考例句：

• He is adverse to going abroad.他反对出国。
• The improper use of medicine could lead to severe adverse reactions.用药不当会产生严重的不良反应。

7 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

8 nicotine   

n.(化)尼古丁，烟碱

参考例句：

• Many smokers who are chemically addicted to nicotine cannot cut down easily.许多有尼古丁瘾的抽烟人不容易把烟戒掉。
• Many smokers who are chemically addicted to nicotine cannot cut down easily.许多有尼古丁瘾的抽烟人不容易把烟戒掉。

9 vows   

誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿

参考例句：

• Matrimonial vows are to show the faithfulness of the new couple. 婚誓体现了新婚夫妇对婚姻的忠诚。
• The nun took strait vows. 那位修女立下严格的誓愿。

10 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。