Smoking Will Kill Young Men in China

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Because of various researches and studies, we have become aware of the consequences of smoking. In China, alarming results of a report exposes the dangers of smoking among young Chinese men.

Read the article below and be ready to talk about health.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/smoking-will-kill-one-in-three-young-men-in-china/3013944.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Explain the graph (The Price of Smoking Around the World) featured in the article.
2. Do you think that increasing the price of cigarettes will help reduce the number of smokers or cigarette-related deaths?
3. What are other good ways to discourage people from smoking?

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5 replies on “Smoking Will Kill Young Men in China”

1) So many things are wrong with this graph! You cannot compare cigarettes prices without knowing the context: how much does an average person earn? Average monthly income in the USA is around USD 6,228, in Russia it is USD 300-400. So, a pack of cigarettes cost 1/1000 monthly income for an average American, and 1/200 for an average Russian citizen – 5 times more expensive! In my opinion, there are many other factors that influence number of smokers. Let’s say culture and habits. As a person who grew up in Russia, I can talk about this country with confidence, but I will not be surprised if many of the same ideas are applicable to China. There is a habit of not trusting the government and, thus, not listening to any Ministry of Health declarations on the bad effects of smoking. This is one of the reasons Russia had so many anti-vaxxers and so many people smoking. Next topic is toxic masculinity, homophobia, and other related phobias: an average Russian male just considers taking care of his health as something not masculine enough. I could continue with more arguments, but I just want to say that it is not ok to compare countries without providing any context.
2) Yes, the experience shows that it is important to increase prices, but this should be done together with other interventions.
3) Other good ways to discourage people from smoking have been implemented in European countries: total prohibition of smoking in public places (from restaurants to public transport stops), as well as general promotion of healthy lifestyle. It is great for a new generation to perceive a smoking person as something strange that they don’t see every day. This should be a complex effort with the participation of the government, large businesses, as well as the media.

Very good work penning your responses to the discussion questions. Keep it up.

Here is how you can write this sentence a bit better:

This is one of the reasons Russia had so many anti-vaxxers and so many people smoking.

This is one of the reasons Russia had so many anti-vaxxers during the pandemic and so many people who continue smoking.

Just stay consistent with your writing practice.

1.Explain the graph (The Price of Smoking Around the World) featured in the article.
According to the information that I have read, the main ideas it would be: On the one hand, the highest rate of men and women smoking is where the price of tobacco is the lowest, for example China (52.9% and 2.4%) and Russia (60.2% and 21.7%). On the other hand, we can see in France, where the price of tobacco is the highest, smoking people rate is as similar as United States with the second highest tobacco price.

2. Do you think that increasing the price of cigarettes will help reduce the number of smokers or cigarette-related deaths?
Yes, I do. In my opinion, the countries with high tobacco price will have less smoking-related deaths than the countries with a low tobacco price.

3. What are other good ways to discourage people from smoking?
As i see it, I consider that a good ways to discourage people from smoking it would be, for example, try with a doctor any nicotine therapy. Also, a physical activity can help you to distract from tobacco habits and althernaty therapies (relaxation, mindfundless or homepathy).
Finally, as far as I concerned, it would be a really good idea to remind yourself the benefits of don´t smoke (feeling better, a healthy lifestyle and saving money)

You efforts in developing your writing skills is commendable. Keep at it!

Here is one sentence you can revise with the proper word order:

As i see it, I consider that a good ways to discourage people from smoking it would be, for example, try with a doctor any nicotine therapy.

As I see it, I consider that a good way to discourage people from smoking it would be, for example, to let them try any nicotine therapy under a doctor’s supervision, of course.

Always enjoy your writing practice!

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