The Reading / Listening - No Smoking - Level 3

France has banned smoking in public places like beaches and parks. Any smoker who lights up a cigarette in public will be breaking the law. The new smoking ban is to protect children from passive smoking. This happens when you breathe in smoke from other people who are smoking. The government wants to create a tobacco-free generation by 2032. This means protecting children today. France's Minister of Health said: "Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children … a park, a beach, a school. These are places to play, learn, and breathe; not for smoking." She added: "The freedom to smoke stops where the right of children to breathe clean air begins."

Smoking is slowly falling in France. However, passive smoking still causes up to 5,000 deaths per year. A recent survey showed that 68 per cent of French people support rules to ban smoking in public. They also want bans at outdoor cafes and restaurants, but these places are not included under the new ban. Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable disease, disability and death. It can damage nearly every organ of the body. Smoking near children is especially dangerous because their bodies are still developing. Second-hand smoke can lead to breathing problems and asthma. It can slow down or damage lung development. People hope the new ban means children can grow up to be healthier.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    No Smoking - Level 0,  No Smoking - Level 1   or  No Smoking - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/29/france-implements-smoking-ban-at-beaches-and-parks-in-step-towards-tobacco-free-generation
  • https://www.euronews.com/health/2025/06/28/france-to-ban-smoking-in-schools-parks-beaches-to-protect-children
  • https://www.npr.org/2025/06/30/nx-s1-5450376/france-bans-smoking-parks-beaches-pools-children


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. SMOKING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about smoking. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       France / smoking / beaches / parks / breaking the law / passive smoking / clean air /
       survey / ban / cafes / restaurants / disease / breathing problems / asthma / lungs
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BAN: Students A strongly believe smoking should be completely banned; Students B strongly believe it shouldn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ADDICTIONS: What are the negative effects of these addictions? How can people stop? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Negative Effects

How to Stop

Cigarettes

 

 

Alcohol

 

 

Chocolate

 

 

Smartphone

 

 

Shopping

 

 

Television

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. SMOKE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "smoke". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. NEGATIVE EFFECTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest negative effects of smoking at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Lung damage
  • Bad breath
  • Stained (yellow) teeth
  • Being out of breath
  • Heart disease
  • High cost
  • Gum disease
  • Social isolation

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. banned a. Starts smoking a cigarette (by getting the cigarette burning).
      2. lights up b. Not active; happening to you, not by you.
      3. law c. Keep someone or something safe.
      4. protect d. A rule we must follow (made by the leaders of a country).
      5. passive e. Not allowed by the rules or the law.
      6. breathe f. Something basic you are allowed to have or do as a living person.
      7. right (noun) g. Take air in and out of your body (through our lungs).

 

    Paragraph 2

      8. recent h. A part of the body that does a job (like the heart or lungs).
      9. survey (noun) i. Happening not long ago.
      10. support (verb) j. Can be stopped before it happens.
      11. cause (verb) k. The two parts of the body that helps us breathe.
      12. preventable l. Say yes to something or agree with it.
      13. organ m. Make something happen.
      14. lungs n. A set of questions to find out what people think about something.

 

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. France has banned smoking in parks but not on beaches.     T / F
  2. The article says the ban will protect children from active smoking.     T / F
  3. France wants a tobacco-free generation in the next 10 years.     T / F
  4. The health minister said children have a right to breathe clean air.     T / F
  5. Over three-quarters of French people support a smoking ban.     T / F
  6. The new law does not cover cafes and restaurants.     T / F
  7. The article says smoking damages every organ in the body.     T / F
  8. The article says second-hand smoke can damage children's lungs.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. protect
  2. create
  3. disappear
  4. stops
  5. begins
  6. causes
  7. support
  8. leading
  9. developing
  10. problems
  1. ends
  2. starts
  3. difficulties
  4. make
  5. back
  6. keep safe
  7. growing
  8. leads to
  9. die out
  10. main

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. Any smoker who lights
  2. protect children from
  3. This happens when you breathe
  4. These are places to play, learn, and
  5. the right of children to breathe
  6. They also want bans at
  7. Smoking is one of the leading causes
  8. It can damage nearly every
  9. Second-
  10. children can grow
  1. hand smoke
  2. in smoke
  3. up to be healthier
  4. clean air
  5. of preventable disease
  6. up a cigarette in public
  7. organ of the body
  8. outdoor cafes
  9. passive smoking
  10. breathe

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
other
breaking
disappear
clean
passive
breathe
public
create

France has banned smoking in (1) ______________________________________________ places like beaches and parks. Any smoker who lights up a cigarette in public will be (2) ______________________________________________ the law. The new smoking ban is to protect children from (3) ______________________________________________ smoking. This happens when you breathe in smoke from (4) ______________________________________________ people who are smoking. The government wants to (5) ______________________________________________ a tobacco-free generation by 2032. This means protecting children today. France's Minister of Health said: "Tobacco must (6) ______________________________________________ from places where there are children - a park, a beach, a school. These are places to play, learn, and (7) ______________________________________________; not for smoking." She added: "The freedom to smoke stops where the right of children to breathe (8) ______________________________________________ air begins."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
outdoor
organ
healthier
falling
breathing
causes
recent
still

Smoking is slowly (9) ______________________________________________ in France. However, passive smoking still causes up to 5,000 deaths per year. A (10) ______________________________________________ survey showed that 68 per cent of French people support rules to ban smoking in public. They also want bans at (11) ______________________________________________ cafes and restaurants, but these places are not included under the new ban. Smoking is one of the leading (12) ______________________________________________ of preventable disease, disability and death. It can damage nearly every (13) ______________________________________________ of the body. Smoking near children is especially dangerous because their bodies are (14) ______________________________________________ developing. Second-hand smoke can lead to (15) ______________________________________________ problems and asthma. It can slow down or damage lung development. People hope the new ban means children can grow up to be (16) ______________________________________________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) France has banned smoking in public places like ______
     a.  beaches and park
     b.  beaches and sparks
     c.  beaches and perks
     d.  beaches and parks
2)  Any smoker who lights up a cigarette in public will be ______
     a.  breaking the law
     b.  breaking the raw
     c.  breaking the law
     d.  breaking allow
3)  The government wants to create a tobacco-free ______
     a.  generation at 2032
     b.  generation on 2032
     c.  generation by 2032
     d.  generation up 2032
4)  These are places to play, learn, and breathe; ______
     a.  now for smoking
     b.  not for smoking
     c.  no for smoking
     d.  non for smoking
5)  The freedom to smoke stops where the right of children to breathe ______
     a.  clean air begin
     b.  clean air began
     c.  clean air beginnings
     d.  clean air begins

6)  However, passive smoking still causes up to 5,000 ______
     a.  deaths spar year
     b.  deaths spur year
     c.  death spur year
     d.  deaths per year
7)  68 per cent of French people support rules to ban ______
     a.  smoke in public
     b.  smoke king in public
     c.  smoking in publicly
     d.  smoking in public
8)  but these places are not included under ______
     a.  the new bin
     b.  the new ban
     c.  the newbie
     d.  the newly ban
9)  disability and death. It can damage ______
     a.  nearly every organic
     b.  nearly every organ
     c.  nearly every organist
     d.  nearly every organs
10)  People hope the new ban means children can grow up ______
     a.  to been healthier
     b.  to be healthy are
     c.  to being healthier
     d.  to be healthier

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

France has banned smoking in (1) __________________________________________________ beaches and parks. Any smoker who lights up a cigarette in public will be breaking the law. The new smoking ban (2) __________________________________________________ children from passive smoking. This happens when you breathe                               (3) __________________________________________________ other people who are smoking. The government wants to create a tobacco-free generation by 2032. This means protecting children today. France's Minister of Health said: "Tobacco             (4) __________________________________________________ places where there are children - a park, a beach, a school. These are (5) __________________________________________________, learn, and breathe; not for smoking." She added: "The freedom to smoke stops where the right of children (6) __________________________________________________ air begins."

Smoking is slowly falling in France. However, (7) __________________________________________________ causes up to 5,000 deaths per year. A recent survey showed that 68 per cent of French people support rules to ban smoking in public. They also want bans (8) __________________________________________________ and restaurants, but these places are not included under the new ban. Smoking is one of the (9) __________________________________________________ preventable disease, disability and death. It can damage nearly every organ of the body. Smoking near children (10) __________________________________________________ because their bodies are still developing. Second-hand smoke can lead (11) __________________________________________________ and asthma. It can slow down or damage lung development. People hope the new ban means children can (12) __________________________________________________ be healthier.

Comprehension questions

  1. In which two places does the article say French people cannot smoke?
  2. What will the new law protect children from?
  3. What does the French government want to create by 2032?
  4. Who said tobacco must disappear from public places?
  5. What did a woman say children have a right to breathe?
  6. How many people does passive smoking kill each year?
  7. What percentage of French people support a smoking ban?
  8. What bodily organs can smoking damage?
  9. What does the article say can lead to breathing problems and asthma?
  10. What can be slowed down or damaged by breathing in smoke?

Multiple choice quiz

1) In which two places does the article say French people cannot smoke?
a) parks and beaches
b) cafes and restaurants
c) schools and kindergartens
d) offices and factories
2) What will the new law protect children from?
a) a new law
b) addiction
c) passive smoking
d) breaking the law
3) What does the French government want to create by 2032?
a) a nicotine-free cigarette
b) a tobacco-free generation
c) a smokeless country
d) nice parks
4) Who said tobacco must disappear from public places?
a) a cigarette company CEO
b) France's president
c) a campaign group
d) France's minister of health
5) What did a woman say children have a right to breathe?
a) clean air
b) easily
c) nice-smelling air
d) deeply

6) How many people does passive smoking kill each year?
a) more than 5,000
b) around 5,000
c) exactly 5,000
d) up to 5,000
7) What percentage of French people support a smoking ban?
a) 69 per cent
b) 68 per cent
c) 67 per cent
d) 66 per cent
8) What bodily organs can smoking damage?
a) half of them
b) all of them
c) a few of them
d) nearly every organ
9) What does the article say can lead to breathing problems and asthma?
a) vapes
b) cigars
c) second-hand smoke
d) no exercise
10) What can be slowed down or damaged by breathing in smoke?
a) intelligence
b) lung development
c) running speed
d) stamina

Role play

Role  A – Bad Breath
You think bad breath is the worst thing about smoking. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their ways aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): being out of breath, smoking being an expensive habit or social isolation.

Role  B – Being out of Breath
You think being out of breath is the worst thing about smoking. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their ways aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): bad breath, smoking being an expensive habit or social isolation.

Role  C – Expensive Habit
You think smoking being an expensive habit is the worst thing about smoking. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their ways aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): being out of breath, bad breath or social isolation.

Role  D – Social Isolation
You think social isolation is the worst thing about smoking. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their ways aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): being out of breath, smoking being an expensive habit or bad breath.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'ban'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'smoking'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • smoker
    • protect
    • generation
    • minister
    • play
    • freedom
    • slowly
    • recent
    • outdoor
    • nearly
    • problems
    • grow

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - No Smoking

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'ban'?
    3. What do you think of smoking?
    4. What do you think of vaping?
    5. Why do people smoke?
    6. How can people smoke near children?
    7. What do you think of the smell of cigarette smoke?
    8. What do you think of a smoke-free generation?
    9. How different would the world be without cigarettes?
    10. What advice do you have for someone who wants to quit smoking?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'smoking'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of banning smoking?
    5. Should smokers pay more for healthcare?
    6. Should smoking be banned in restaurants?
    7. What damage does smoking do to the body?
    8. What three adjectives best describe the word 'cigarette'?
    9. How can we stop children smoking?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a smoker?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    France has banned smoking (1) ____ public places like beaches and parks. Any smoker who lights up a cigarette in public will be (2) ____ the law. The new smoking ban is to protect children from passive smoking. This happens when you breathe in smoke from other people who are (3) ____. The government wants to create a tobacco-free generation by 2032. This means protecting children today. France's Minister of Health said: "Tobacco must disappear from places (4) ____ there are children - a park, a beach, a school. These are places to play, learn, and breathe; (5) ____ for smoking." She added: "The freedom to smoke stops where the right of children to (6) ____ clean air begins."

    Smoking is slowly falling in France. However, passive smoking still causes (7) ____ to 5,000 deaths per year. A recent survey showed that 68 per cent of French people support rules (8) ____ ban smoking in public. They also want bans at outdoor cafes and restaurants, but these places are not (9) ____ under the new ban. Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable disease, disability and death. It can damage nearly every (10) ____ of the body. Smoking near children is especially dangerous because their bodies are (11) ____ developing. Second-hand smoke can lead to breathing problems and asthma. It can slow down or damage lung development. People hope the new ban means children can (12) ____ up to be healthier.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     of     (b)     in     (c)     as     (d)     up    
    (a)     broken     (b)     breaking     (c)     breaks     (d)     break    
    (a)     smoked     (b)     smokes     (c)     smoker     (d)     smoking    
    (a)     what     (b)     where     (c)     that     (d)     which    
    (a)     now     (b)     not     (c)     non     (d)     no    
    (a)     breather     (b)     breathing     (c)     breathe     (d)     breath    
    (a)     down     (b)     across     (c)     up     (d)     over    
    (a)     for     (b)     of     (c)     to     (d)     at    
    (a)     includes     (b)     include     (c)     including     (d)     included    
    (a)     organ     (b)     organic     (c)     organist     (d)     organs    
    (a)     still     (b)     but     (c)     though     (d)     for    
    (a)     growing     (b)     growth     (c)     grow     (d)     grown

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. France has nbenda smoking in public places
    2. ttcerpo children
    3. evpsasi smoking
    4. when you ateehrb in smoke
    5. Tobacco must pdrieapas
    6. The moedefr to smoke stops

    Paragraph 2

    1. A crntee survey showed that
    2. people rpsoput rules to ban smoking
    3. not dlcueidn under the new ban
    4. leading causes of preventable eeissad
    5. ipyclealse dangerous
    6. slow down or damage ulng development

    Put the text back together

    (    )     and death. It can damage nearly every organ of the body. Smoking near children is especially
    (    )     asthma. It can slow down or damage lung development. People hope the new ban means children can grow up to be healthier.
    (    )     dangerous because their bodies are still developing. Second-hand smoke can lead to breathing problems and
    (    )     for smoking." She added: "The freedom to smoke stops where the right of children to breathe clean air begins."
    (  1  )   France has banned smoking in public places like beaches and parks. Any smoker who lights
    (    )     included under the new ban. Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable disease, disability
    (    )     public. They also want bans at outdoor cafes and restaurants, but these places are not
    (    )     Smoking is slowly falling in France. However, passive smoking still causes up to 5,000 deaths per
    (    )     smoking. This happens when you breathe in smoke from other people who are smoking. The government wants
    (    )     there are children - a park, a beach, a school. These are places to play, learn, and breathe; not
    (    )     to create a tobacco-free generation by 2032. This means protecting children
    (    )     today. France's Minister of Health said: "Tobacco must disappear from places where
    (    )     up a cigarette in public will be breaking the law. The new smoking ban is to protect children from passive
    (    )     year. A recent survey showed that 68 per cent of French people support rules to ban smoking in

    Put the words in the right order

    1. France   places   like   beaches   has   in   banned   smoking   .
    2. Smoker   cigarette   a   who   public   in   up   light   .
    3. The   protect   to   is   children   new   ban   smoking   .
    4. Breathe   who   people   smoking   are   from   other   smoke   .
    5. The   breathe   of   air   clean   to   children   right   .
    6. Passive   per   still   causes   deaths   smoking   year   5000   .
    7. They   bans   cafes   also   outdoor   want   at   .
    8. One   preventable   disease   of   causes   the   leading   of   .
    9. Second-hand   breathing   to   smoke   problems   can   lead   .
    10. Children   up   healthier   grow   be   can   to   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    France has banned smoking on / in public places like beaches and parks. Any smoker who lights down / up a cigarette in public will be breaking the law / laws. The new smoking ban is to protect children from passive smoking / smoker. This happens when you breathe / breath in smoke from other people who are smoking. The government wants to create a tobacco-free generation to / by 2032. This means protecting / protect children today. France's Minister of Health said: "Tobacco must disappear from / for places where there are children - a park, a beach, a school. These are places to play, learn, and breathe; not for / to smoking." She added: "The freedom to smoke stops where the right of children to breathe clean air beginning / begins."

    Smoking is slowly fallen / falling in France. However, passive smoking still causes up to 5,000 deaths per year. A recently / recent survey showed that 68 per cent of French people support rules / rule to ban smoking in public. They also want bans at outdoor cafes and restaurants, but these / them places are not included under the new ban. Smoking is once / one of the leading causes of prevent / preventable disease, disability and death. It can damage nearly every organist / organ of the body. Smoking near children is special / especially dangerous because their bodies are still developing. Second-hand smoke can lead to breathing problems and asthma. It can slow down or damage lung develop / development. People hope the new ban means children can grow up to be / have healthier.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    Fr_nc_  h_s  b_nn_d  sm_k_ng  _n  p_bl_c  pl_c_s  l_k_  b__ch_s  _nd  p_rks.  _ny  sm_k_r  wh_  l_ghts  _p  _  c_g_r_tt_  _n  p_bl_c  w_ll  b_  br__k_ng  th_  l_w.  Th_  n_w  sm_k_ng  b_n  _s  t_  pr_t_ct  ch_ldr_n  fr_m  p_ss_v_  sm_k_ng.  Th_s  h_pp_ns  wh_n  y__  br__th_  _n  sm_k_  fr_m  _th_r  p__pl_  wh_  _r_  sm_k_ng.  Th_  g_v_rnm_nt  w_nts  t_  cr__t_  _  t_b_cc_-fr__  g_n_r_t__n  by  2032.  Th_s  m__ns  pr_t_ct_ng  ch_ldr_n  t_d_y.  Fr_nc_'s  M_n_st_r  _f  H__lth  s__d:  "T_b_cc_  m_st  d_s_pp__r  fr_m  pl_c_s  wh_r_  th_r_  _r_  ch_ldr_n  -  _  p_rk,  _  b__ch,  _  sch__l.  Th_s_  _r_  pl_c_s  t_  pl_y,  l__rn,  _nd  br__th_;  n_t  f_r  sm_k_ng."  Sh_  _dd_d:  "Th_  fr__d_m  t_  sm_k_  st_ps  wh_r_  th_  r_ght  _f  ch_ldr_n  t_  br__th_  cl__n  __r  b_g_ns."

    Sm_k_ng  _s  sl_wly  f_ll_ng  _n  Fr_nc_.  H_w_v_r,  p_ss_v_  sm_k_ng  st_ll  c__s_s  _p  t_  5,000  d__ths  p_r  y__r.  _  r_c_nt  s_rv_y  sh_w_d  th_t  68  p_r  c_nt  _f  Fr_nch  p__pl_  s_pp_rt  r_l_s  t_  b_n  sm_k_ng  _n  p_bl_c.  Th_y  _ls_  w_nt  b_ns  _t  __td__r  c_f_s  _nd  r_st__r_nts,  b_t  th_s_  pl_c_s  _r_  n_t  _ncl_d_d  _nd_r  th_  n_w  b_n.  Sm_k_ng  _s  _n_  _f  th_  l__d_ng  c__s_s  _f  pr_v_nt_bl_  d_s__s_,  d_s_b_l_ty  _nd  d__th.  _t  c_n  d_m_g_  n__rly  _v_ry  _rg_n  _f  th_  b_dy.  Sm_k_ng  n__r  ch_ldr_n  _s  _sp_c__lly  d_ng_r__s  b_c__s_  th__r  b_d__s  _r_  st_ll  d_v_l_p_ng.  S_c_nd-h_nd  sm_k_  c_n  l__d  t_  br__th_ng  pr_bl_ms  _nd  _sthm_.  _t  c_n  sl_w  d_wn  _r  d_m_g_  l_ng  d_v_l_pm_nt.  P__pl_  h_p_  th_  n_w  b_n  m__ns  ch_ldr_n  c_n  gr_w  _p  t_  b_  h__lth__r.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    france has banned smoking in public places like beaches and parks any smoker who lights up a cigarette in public will be breaking the law the new smoking ban is to protect children from passive smoking this happens when you breathe in smoke from other people who are smoking the government wants to create a tobaccofree generation by 2032 this means protecting children today frances minister of health said tobacco must disappear from places where there are children a park a beach a school these are places to play learn and breathe not for smoking she added the freedom to smoke stops where the right of children to breathe clean air begins

    smoking is slowly falling in france however passive smoking still causes up to 5000 deaths per year a recent survey showed that 68 per cent of french people support rules to ban smoking in public they also want bans at outdoor cafes and restaurants but these places are not included under the new ban smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable disease disability and death it can damage nearly every organ of the body smoking near children is especially dangerous because their bodies are still developing secondhand smoke can lead to breathing problems and asthma it can slow down or damage lung development people hope the new ban means children can grow up to be healthier

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Francehasbannedsmokinginpublicplaceslikebeachesandparks.Anys
    mokerwholightsupacigaretteinpublicwillbebreakingthelaw.Thenew
    smokingbanistoprotectchildrenfrompassivesmoking.Thishappensw
    henyoubreatheinsmokefromotherpeoplewhoaresmoking.Thegover
    nmentwantstocreateatobacco-freegenerationby2032.Thismeanspr
    otectingchildrentoday.France'sMinisterofHealthsaid:"Tobaccomust
    disappearfromplaceswheretherearechildren-apark,abeach,aschoo
    l.Theseareplacestoplay,learn,andbreathe;notforsmoking."Sheadde
    d:"Thefreedomtosmokestopswheretherightofchildrentobreatheclea
    nairbegins."SmokingisslowlyfallinginFrance.However,passivesmoki
    ngstillcausesupto5,000deathsperyear.Arecentsurveyshowedthat6
    8percentofFrenchpeoplesupportrulestobansmokinginpublic.Theyal
    sowantbansatoutdoorcafesandrestaurants,buttheseplacesarenotin
    cludedunderthenewban.Smokingisoneoftheleadingcausesofpreven
    tabledisease,disabilityanddeath.Itcandamagenearlyeveryorganoft
    hebody.Smokingnearchildrenisespeciallydangerousbecausetheirbo
    diesarestilldeveloping.Second-handsmokecanleadtobreathingpro
    blemsandasthma.Itcanslowdownordamagelungdevelopment.Peopl
    ehopethenewbanmeanschildrencangrowuptobehealthier.

    Free writing

    Write about tobacco-free generation for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Smoking and vaping should be banned worldwide. Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. SMOKING: Make a poster about smoking. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. BAN: Write a magazine article about banning smoking. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on smoking. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on smoking. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

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    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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