Mini-Debates

The Smoking Ban

Pre-Reading
A. Warm-Up Questions

1. Does anyone in your family smoke?

If so, how long has he/she smoked?

2. Does second-hand smoke bother you?

3. Do you know anyone who

has tried to quit smoking?

4. Is smoking allowed in public

buildings in your community?

B. Vocabulary Preview

Match up as many words and meanings

as you can. Check this exercise again after
seeing the words in context on page 2.

1. forbid a)  to not notice, to fail to see

2. unintended b)  free from, not part of

3. effect c)  to ban, to not permit

4. veteran d)  to discuss with

5. prior to e)  not planned

6. allow f)  before

7. ventilated g)  a fight

8. resident h)  a result

9. exempt i)  to permit

10. overlook j)  a former soldier

11. deserve k)  a person living in a certain place

12. consult l)  to earn the right to do something

13. battle m)  having good air movement

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 The Smoking Ban
Mini-Debates

Reading
1. A law in the state of Idaho forbids smoking in all state-owned buildings “Smoking is
and within 20 feet of their entrances and exits. This Clean Indoor Air one of the leading
Law had an unintended effect on a special group of senior citizens.
causes of statistics.”
2. Dozens of smokers who lived at the Idaho State Veterans Homes in
—Fletcher Knebel, author
Boise, Pocatello, and Lewiston were forced to start smoking outside.
Prior to the passing of the law, these veterans had not been allowed
to smoke in their own rooms. However, each home had provided a
specially designed, well-ventilated smoking room for the residents
to use. These smoking rooms were separated from other rooms in the
homes to protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke.

3. In the past, assisted living communities and nursing homes, including

veterans’ homes, had been exempt from environmental laws banning
smoking in public places. However, according to Richard Jones, the
administrator of Veterans Services, the law overlooked the situation
of senior citizens. Mr. Jones was very worried about what would
happen when winter arrived and the veterans had to leave the
building to smoke.

4. Many of the old soldiers living in the State Veterans Homes were very
angry about the way they were being treated in the final years of their
lives. They felt that they fought hard for their country and deserved
the right to smoke inside their buildings. They planned to consult with
the Attorney General’s Office and ask the legislature to give the same
exemption as in the past. These old soldiers said they had one last
battle to fight.

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 The Smoking Ban
Mini-Debates

Comprehension
Discuss these questions in pairs and write the answers in your notebook.

1. Why were some veterans from Idaho very angry?

2. What is the Clean Indoor Air Law in Idaho?

3. Before this law was passed, where were

veterans in state-owned homes allowed to smoke?

4. What was the administrator of Veterans Services

particularly concerned about with this law?

5. What did the veterans plan to do?

Vocabulary Review
Complete the sentences using a word from the vocabulary list on page 1.
You may need to change the word form.

1.                 moving to New York, he lived in Toronto for three years.

2. In many countries, you are not                 to buy cigarettes if you are under 18.

3. They have studied very hard this term. They                 to get good grades.

4. If your medical problem continues, you should                 with your doctor.

5. You may be                 from paying sales tax if you are from another country.

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 The Smoking Ban
Mini-Debates

Discuss
Work with a partner or in small groups. Discuss the following questions.

1. Do you think there should be special indoor smoking rooms

in assisted living communities and nursing homes?

2. Do you think restaurants should have smoking sections?

Why or why not?

3. Do you think pubs and bars should be smoke-free? Give your reasons.

4. Should employers be allowed to ask job applicants if they smoke?

5. Should cigarette advertising be banned on television and in magazines?

6. What should the punishment be for retailers

who sell cigarettes to underaged teenagers?

7. Should teenagers who are caught smoking

on school property be expelled from the school?

Debate
Below are two topics to debate in small groups or pairs.
Your teacher will tell you if you will be debating for or against the idea.
You will have ten minutes to prepare your arguments.

Topic #1 Topic #2

Doctors should have the right to refuse Cigarettes should be in the same category
to treat patients who will not quit smoking. as other drugs, like heroin and cocaine,
and all cigarette sales should be banned.

Write
Choose one of the questions from the Discuss section above.
Then write a paragraph in your notebook stating your own opinion.

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 The Smoking Ban
Mini-Debates

Useful Expressions & Transitions for Debating

Agreeing and Disagreeing Expressing an Opinion

• That doesn’t take away from the fact that... • In my honest opinion...
• That’s beside the point. • It is my belief that...
• With all due respect... • From my experience...
• I agree with you there. • From where I look at it...
• I agree with ---- (name). • From my point of view...
• I see your point, but...
• That may be true, but...
Clarifying / Rephrasing
• We’re going to have to agree to disagree.
• I get/see where you’re coming from, but... • Let’s be clear here...
• I’m afraid I disagree entirely. • I think you misunderstood what I said.
• I’m afraid I’d have to disagree. • What I said was... (repeat a point
• I agree to some extent, but... that was misunderstood or confused)
• I disagree with you there. • What I meant to say was...
• Pardon me for disagreeing, but... (rephrase something in a way that is clearer)
• In other words...
• What I was trying to say
Interrupting / Asking to Contribute
before I was interrupted is that...
• I hate to interrupt, but...
• If I may come in here...
Summarizing / Concluding
• I’d like to add something.
• Would you like to contribute something? • So let me get this straight. You think...
• I’d like to raise a point. • To conclude...
• If I could speak for a moment... • I’d just like to summarize by saying...
• I’d like to cut in here. • Finally, I’d like to reiterate that...
• You haven’t answered my question. • It’s time to take stock of what we’ve heard today.
• Both sides have some valid points.
• The stronger argument/team today is...
Persuading

• Can you see where I’m coming from?

• I challenge you to give this a try/chance.
• I want you to see it my way.
• Put yourself in my shoes.
• Am I getting through to you?

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