Reading exercise

A ➀______ is a small cylinder of finely cut tobacco leaves rolled in thin paper for ➁_______ .

The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smoulder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth; in some cases a cigarette ➂________ may be used as well.

Most modern manufactured cigarettes are filtered and include reconstituted tobacco and other additives.

A cigarette is distinguished from a cigar by its smaller size, use of processed leaf, and paper

➃________ , which is normally white, though other colors are occasionally available. Cigars are typically composed entirely of whole-leaf tobacco.

Cigarettes carry serious health risks, which are more prevalent than in other ➄________ products. Nicotine, the primary psychoactive chemical in tobacco and therefore cigarettes, is

➅________ .

✰ Please match the answers from the bottom.

wrapping	tobacco	holder
cigarette	addictive	smoking

Smoking in Public Places Law

On November 8, 2005, Washingtonians made a healthy choice by voting to pass Initiative 901. The initiative prohibits smoking in all restaurants and bars by amending the state’s 1985 Clean Indoor Air Act. Today, the definition of "public place" includes bars, restaurants, bowling centers, skating rinks, and non-tribal casinos. The definition also includes private residences used to provide childcare, foster care, adult care, or similar social services, and at least 75 percent of the sleeping quarters within a hotel.

The Smoking in Public Places law also prohibits smoking within 25 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open, and ventilation intakes that serve enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited.

Washington was the tenth state in the country to implement a comprehensive statewide law prohibiting smoking in all restaurants and bars, and the fifth state to have a law that requires 100 percent of indoor workplaces to be smoke-free.

The initiative had widespread support, with all 39 counties in Washington voting in favor of the law.

The truth about smoke-free laws

When smoking laws go into effect, evidence shows that cigarette consumption and smoking rates go down among workers and the general public.

In fact, Philip Morris’s own research shows that prohibiting smoking in the workplace not only reduces consumption but also increases quit rates. A 1992 memo summarizing these findings states18:

"Total prohibition of smoking in the workplace strongly affects industry volume. Smokers facing these restrictions consume 11%-15% less than average and quit at a rate that is 84% higher than average."

The memo goes on to state that,

"If smoking were banned in all workplaces, the industry’s average consumption would decline 8.75-10.1% from 1991 levels and the quitting rate would increase 74% (e.g., from 2.5% to 4.4%)."

20It just goes to show that tobacco companies know exactly what we do: that while smoking remains as bad for your health as always, smoke-free laws go a long way toward clearing the air and helping people quit for good.

When smoke-free laws go into effect, it's always important to make sure that people know they have more options than to simply smoke elsewhere.