Learning English with CBC s4

Learning English with CBC Listening Lessons for Intermediate Students Based on CBC Manitoba Radio Broadcasts October 19, 2009

Lesson 48: Self Study Edition

Level: CLB 6 and up Topic: Second-hand Smoke Language Skills and Functions: Listening – listening to a short interview for detail Speaking – predicting consequences; expressing opinions Reading – reading a text for detail; scanning a graph for information Writing – writing a letter to the editor to express an opinion

Language Competencies: Vocabulary, Pronunciation, Listening and Speaking Strategies, Sociocultural/sociolinguistic Competence

Language Tasks: Answer questions about attitudes toward smoking in public places Listen for detail in a radio interview with a councillor who wants to see smoking banned from outdoor recreational areas Read a news article about the council debate on the ban for detail Read statements about second-hand smoke and decide if they are fact or opinion Scan a bar graph on Manitobans’ attitudes toward smoking bans Write a letter to the editor to express an opinion about banning smoking Express opinions about the rights of smokers versus non-smokers

Essential Skills: Reading text, document use, thinking skills, oral communication, writing

Appendices: Transcript of the podcast Text: Council Votes to Butt out Smoking in Select Areas Graph: Support to Extend Smoking Bans in Manitoba Answers to Worksheets

Attention students: You will need to print the lesson to be able to complete the activities.

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 1 of 19 Manitoba Memo

Have you ever seen the award-winning television show Mad Men? It takes place in the early 1960’s. Watch one episode and you will be struck by how much attitudes toward smoking have changed in North America. In that time period, smoking was common and close to one in two Americans smoked. People smoked at work, at home and in restaurants. Women smoked when they were pregnant. Cigarette companies sponsored huge ad campaigns encouraging people to smoke their products. It wasn’t until the mid-1960’s that the U.S. Surgeon General warned that smoking was hazardous to people’s health. The effect of second-hand smoke on health wasn’t even being discussed.

Now fast forward to the year 2009 in Manitoba. High tobacco taxes have made smoking a very expensive habit. Only 1 in 5 Manitobans smoke regularly or occasionally, and a high percentage of those who do smoke are trying to quit. Smoking is banned in workplaces and other indoor public spaces. Tobacco products cannot be displayed in stores and must be kept out of sight of children and young people. Most forms of tobacco advertising are banned. In fact, advertising on the subject of tobacco is focused on the dangers of smoking and on how to quit.

In 2010, it will become illegal in Manitoba to smoke in a vehicle when children under the age of sixteen are passengers. As the dangers of second-hand smoke become more widely known, there continue to be calls to extend smoking bans. Some jurisdictions are banning smoking in parks and recreation facilities where children play, at the entrances to buildings and on outdoor patios. Will there come a time when smoking is banned in all outdoor public places? Stay tuned to the debate!

Background

1. Before you listen, answer the following background questions

 In your country, is it common to see men smoking in public places?  Is it common to see women smoking in public places?  Do attitudes toward smoking in public places in your country differ from the attitudes in Manitoba?  Do you think smokers have a right to smoke around other people? In what situations? Under what conditions?

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 2 of 19 2. Vocabulary

Here are some words you need to know to understand the CBC interview.

Vocabulary legislation A law or set of laws. to ban If you ban something, you do not permit or allow it to happen. role model A role model is someone whose behaviour and attitudes you want to copy because you admire them. second-hand If something is second-hand, it isn’t new. It has been used by someone else. toxic Something that is poisonous, for example a toxic gas, liquid or substance. data The collection of information or facts. For example, the data collected on second-hand smoke shows it can be harmful. proximity To be near something. For example, someone might buy a house because of its proximity or closeness to a park.

U.S. Surgeon General The office of the U.S. Surgeon General oversees the operations of the U.S. public heath services. The Surgeon General also serves as America's chief health educator by providing Americans the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury. Center of Disease Control (CDC) The Center for Disease Control is an American organization. Its mandate is to protect heath and promote healthy living through the prevention and control of disease, injury and disability. drifting To move slowly through air or water. particulates Harmful dust or particles in the air. fatal A situation that results in someone’s death.

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 3 of 19 3. Vocabulary – which word doesn’t belong?

The words in the first column will help you understand the interview you are about to hear. Try to guess their meaning. In each set of words, underline or cross out the word that doesn’t have a similar meaning to the first word. Think about the relationship of the words in each set. You can use an English Language Learner’s dictionary to help you.

Vocabulary Word legislation laws rules judges to ban prohibit outlaw permit role model example ladder leader second-hand used double old toxic unreliable poisonous harmful data statistics calculation information proximity nearby close away drifting blowing moving changing particulates facts particles flecks fatal serious deadly lethal

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 4 of 19 4. Predict what the story is about

In this interview, Margaux Watt interviews a councillor from Halifax, Nova Scotia. The councillor, Linda Mosher is asking Halifax Regional Council to approve an outdoor smoking ban in public spaces where children are present, such as playgrounds and sports fields. Can you predict what kinds of arguments Linda might make to support her position? What kinds of arguments might her opponents make? Here are some examples to get you started.

Linda might argue that… second-hand smoke is especially harmful to children. She could argue that….second-hand smoke is dangerous. I think her strongest argument would be that… second-hand smoke harms children. I don’t know what arguments she will make.

Her opponents might argue that… second-hand smoke is not harmful when people are outdoors. They could argue that….this ban is going too far. I think their strongest argument would be that…it is hard to enforce a ban. I don’t know what arguments they will make.

5. Get ready to listen

In this podcast you will hear several speakers. You will hear:

Marcy Markusa – host and interviewer Margaux Watt - interviewer Linda Mosher – Halifax councillor

Play the podcast for the first time.

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 5 of 19 6. Listen for detail

Sometimes when we listen, we are listening for very specific details like numbers or instructions. Other times, we are listening for details that help us to understand a situation or a person’s point of view. When you listen to the interview this time, listen for details and circle the best answer to complete each sentence. The first one is completed for you as an example. a) Manitoba already has a law that bans _1.

1. smoking in workplaces 2. smoking in vehicles when children are passengers 3. smoking in outdoor recreational facilities b) Manitoba will soon have a law that bans ___.

1. smoking in workplaces 2. smoking in vehicles when children are passengers 3. smoking in outdoor recreational facilities c) Linda Mosher became interested in the issue of banning smoking in public recreational spaces when___.

1. she saw coaches smoking at a baseball game 2. her own children were affected by second-hand smoke 3. a parent complained about coaches and parents smoking at children’s baseball games d) In her research, Linda learned that ___.

1. second-hand smoke outdoors is toxic 2. children are unlikely to copy the behaviour of role models who smoke 3. second-hand smoke drifts away outdoors and this makes it less harmful e) Research studies show that ___.

1. second-hand smoke outdoors is only dangerous if you are exposed to it for a long time 2. exposure to second-hand smoke is only a problem for children 3. if you are close to someone who is smoking outdoors, it can be as dangerous as being exposed to someone smoking indoors f) Drifting tobacco smoke is dangerous because ___.

1. it can get in your eyes 2. it’s heavy and the particles from the smoke stay in the air you breathe 3. it can cause heart attacks

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 6 of 19 7. Strategies used in spoken English

Play the interview again. This time, ask students to listen for examples of when Margaux’s question repeats information Linda has just said (lines 20 and 39/40) Ask students what they think Margaux is accomplishing when she asks these questions.

Asking follow-up questions in order to confirm, summarize or emphasize what a speaker has said. is a common strategy in spoken English

For example, in line 20, Margaux asks Linda:

“Did you say even the coaches of the kids’ teams were smoking?”

In this example, her intent may be to emphasize information she has just heard and finds hard to believe.

Later, in lines 39/40, she asks:

“So the second-hand smoke outdoors can be just as dangerous as the second-hand smoke indoors?”

Here, her intent may be to emphasize or draw attention to the most important point her guest has just talked about.

Linda also uses sarcasm in the interview. Sarcasm is when someone says the opposite of what they really mean. In line 23, when she comments on the fact that the coaches were smoking, she says:

“ That’s a positive role model!”

It is clear from her earlier comments that this is meant to be sarcastic. Do you think there are any clues in how she says the comment (her tone of voice) that she is being sarcastic?

After you listen

a) Review your pre-listening predictions

Were you able to think of that might be made by supporters and opponents of a smoking ban in outdoor recreation spaces?

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 7 of 19 b) Using language to predict consequences

We often need language to predict consequences. For example, when people are talking about how things affect their health, they often talk about the consequences of taking or not taking certain actions.

The grammar structure used is called the first conditional. It is used to talk about the likely or possible result of something happening or not happening. The chart below explains how it works.

If condition clause result clause present simple verb will + base verb (definite consequence) If I have to breathe a lot of I will start to cough. second-hand smoke, If my Dad quits smoking, I will quit too.

present simple verb might +base verb (possible consequence) If I have to breathe a lot I might start to cough. of second-hand smoke, If my Dad quits smoking, I might quit too.

Now, practice using in the first conditional to predict possible or definite consequences.

Sentence beginning Your ending If my friend quits smoking, he might….

If my friend quits smoking, he will….

If parents smoke in the car, their children might….

If parents smoke in the car, their children will….

If the rate of smoking increases, the health care system might….

If the rate of smoking increases, the health care system will….

If second-hand smoke is banned in vehicles, children might….

If second-hand smoke is banned in vehicles, children will…

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 8 of 19 c) Read a newspaper article for detail

It’s important to learn how to read for the main ideas, detail and inference. These are skills you use at home, at the workplace, in the community, at school or when you are reading for your own pleasure. First, read the newspaper article about the Halifax Regional Council debate on the smoking ban. Then read the true/false questions below. Can you find the information you need in the newspaper article to answer the questions? The first one is completed for you as an example.

Sentence T / F 1 Halifax Regional Council voted in favour of banning smoking in T hundreds of outdoor areas.

2 The main reason for the ban is to protect children from second- hand smoke.

3 Almost all of the councillors said they would support a complete ban on smoking in all outdoor public places.

4 When some councillors called the outdoor smoking ban “heavy handed”, they mean that it goes further than it needs to.

5 The ban was approved following public consultation and public meetings.

6 One councillor voted to oppose the ban.

7 Public education will be the key to the ban’s success.

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 9 of 19 d) Is it fact or opinion?

Is it fact or opinion? Sometimes it can be hard to tell. Read the following statements about second-hand smoke. Can you tell whether what you are reading is a fact or someone’s opinion?

F fact A fact is a statement that can be proven true or false, by using an objective standard. To determine whether something is a fact, ask yourself: Can I prove it? Can I check whether it is true? O opinion Opinions are ideas or beliefs about a subject that someone believes to be true but which cannot be measured against an objective standard. People often believe opinions are facts when others share the same opinion. But if it can’t be proven, it’s not a fact, it’s an opinion. Words such as always, never, should, all, none, most, least, greatest, best and worst are often used to express an opinion.

Statement Fact or Opinion? 1 A 2006 study found that the pollution inhaled from second-hand smoke in F vehicles was higher than the level found in bars where smoking is allowed.

2 Surveys around the world have consistently shown that the public strongly supports smoke free car laws.

3 It doesn’t make any sense at all to ban cigarettes from the beach. Smokers have rights too.

4 Second-hand smoke contains over 250 chemicals known to be toxic or cancer causing.

5 Society should be worrying about more important issues than whether people smoke outdoors.

6 Parents should be able to decide what’s best for their children. A ban on smoking in cars intrudes on parent’s rights.

7 Tests show that even with the car windows down, the level of second-hand smoke in a vehicle is harmful to children.

8 It’s only a matter of time until smoking is banned in all outdoor public areas.

9 Infants and young children are more vulnerable to second-hand smoke because their bodies are still developing.

10 Trying to enforce smoking bans is a complete waste of tax dollars.

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 10 of 19 e) Scan a bar graph and answer questions

Frequently you need to find information on a graph or chart. Newspapers, magazines and websites use these tools to present information on a wide range of topics. Companies and governments are also big fans of graphs and charts.

Look through the information on the bar graph you will find in Appendix 3. The information is from a March 2008 survey of Manitobans by Prairie Research Associates. The graph shows what percentage of Manitobans support different options for extending the province’s smoking ban.

The horizontal bars on the graph show the total percentage of Manitobans who either somewhat support or strongly support each option. If you add the percentage who somewhat support a ban and the percentage who strongly support a ban, you will find out the total support for each option.

For example, total support for a ban on smoking in homes when children are present is 66%. You get 66% by adding those who somewhat support a ban (15%) and those who strongly support a ban (51%).

Use the information from the graph to help you match the level of support for each option with the type of smoking ban that received that level of support in the survey. The first one is completed for you as an example.

Type of Smoking Ban Level of Support

1 On outdoor patios of restaurants and bars d)

2 In homes when children are present

3 In all outdoor public spaces

4 Within 5 metres of a public building

5 In cars when children are passengers

Level of Support

(hint: it helps if you first add up the total support for each option)

a) nearly 8 in 10 support b) just under half support c) about three-quarters support d) close to six in ten support e) two-thirds support

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 11 of 19 f) Express your opinion in a letter to the editor

Now it is your turn to make your views known about Manitoba’s upcoming ban on smoking in vehicles when there are passengers under the age of sixteen. Do you have the writing skills to write a letter to the editor of the local paper using the appropriate language and layout? Use the following outline to help you write a letter supporting or opposing the ban.

Who are you Dear ______writing to?

Start with why you I am writing to (support/oppose) the new law which will _____ are writing the letter. ______

______

What reasons can you give to support your There are several reasons why I (support/oppose) this law. First position? of all,______

______

Secondly, ______

______

End with your strongest point. In conclusion,______

______

Yours ______, (sincerely or truly)

Sign your name ______

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 12 of 19 Want to know more…

The Manitoba government’s Healthy Living website has information on the current laws banning smoking, as well as other information on tobacco reduction policies. Go to: http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/smoking.html

MANTRA, the Manitoba Tobacco Reduction Alliance website has a lot of information and links on this topic: http://www.mantrainc.ca/

The full Prairie Research Associates report on attitudes toward smoking and smoking bans, can be found at: http://www.mantrainc.ca/pdf/Final%20Report.pdf

For information on the harmful effects of second hand smoke, go to: http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/index.php?CategoryID=19

For a brochure with information on how to talk to your kids about smoking, go to: http://www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/cuttingthrough.html

(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external websites)

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 13 of 19 Appendix 1: Transcript

Broadcast Date: October 6, 2009 Speaker Podcast Line Marcy Hi I'm Marcy Markusa and you're listening to Learning English with CBC. In Manitoba, we have legislation that bans smoking in workplaces and most indoor public spaces. Soon, it will be against the law to smoke in a car when children are passengers. But some people think that the ban on smoking should go even 5 further. They’d like to see smoking banned at outdoor recreational facilities, like playgrounds, rinks, soccer fields and beaches. In this interview, CBC host Margaux Watt speaks with Halifax councillor Linda Mosher about her attempt to ban smoking from outdoor recreation areas in that city. 10 Margaux What got you interested in this issue? Linda Ah it was first brought to my attention after the two thousand and summit, two thousand and seven summer season, where a resident had concerns that she took her child to play baseball and not only were the parents and grandparents smoking but also the 15 coaches, and she asked them to stop and they just continued. And she asked me to help her out and I was quite shocked to find out that it was actually legal to smoke where kids were participating in sporting activities. Margaux Did you say even the coaches of the kids’ teams were smoking? 20 Linda Yes, the coaches. Margaux Okay. Linda That’s a positive role model! Margaux Now what have you learned about the dangers of second-hand smoke outdoors? 25 Linda Well I wanted some time to do some research so in my process of researching this I found that there was three issues I guess.

Linda (cont) The first one would be the leadership role and if you see somebody in a position of authority such as the coach smoking, 30 then you are more likely to think it’s okay and children will tend to become smokers in their adult life. The most important thing is the toxicity of and the health effects of second-hand smoke. So

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 14 of 19 there’s numerous data out there from the U.S. Surgeon General and the CDC, many studies that show that depending on the 35 proximity to someone smoking and the wind conditions, smoking outside near somebody can be as toxic as second-hand smoke indoors. Margaux So the second-hand smoke outdoors can be just as dangerous sometimes as the second-hand smoke indoors? 40 Linda Yes, a study for the Centre of Disease Control warns warned that, they call it breathing drifting tobacco smoke, because tobacco smoke’s heavier than air and it stays and it becomes particulates, but it says being exposed as little as 30 minutes can rise a non-smokers risk of suffering a fatal heart attack to that of a 45 smoker.

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 15 of 19 Appendix 2: Council votes to butt out smoking in select outdoor areas1

PAUL MCLEOD METRO HALIFAX October 07, 2009 12:59 a.m.

Halifax Regional Council voted to ban smoking in hundreds of new outdoor areas across the Halifax Regional Municipality last night.

It was done to protect children from second-hand smoke, though kids don’t need to be present at the time. Instead staff will pick a list of areas - such as sports fields and skate parks - that are frequented by children.

Councillor Linda Mosher proposed the motion after hearing complaints of coaches and parents smoking around children’s sports games.

“What kind of message does it send if a coach is standing there smoking?” she asked.

Many councillors said they’d like to go even further, with councillor Debbie Hum saying she’d like to ban smoking altogether.

Others questioned whether the policy goes too far. Deputy Mayor David Hendsbee called it “heavy-handed” because smoking could be banned from an entire park just because of a canteen or baseball diamond in one corner.

“You’ve got to be somewhat reasonable in your approach,” Hendsbee said.

Councillor Russell Walker said council should be asking for public opinion rather than “going through the back door” and approving it without consultation.

But when it came time to vote, council unanimously supported the motion.

Staff admitted rigorous enforcement of the new policy wouldn’t be possible and it would instead depend on public education.

1 Source: http://www.metronews.ca/halifax/local/article/332742

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 16 of 19 Appendix 3

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 17 of 19 Public support for smoking bans in Manitoba

In all outdoor public spaces 18% 30%

On an outdoor patio of a restaurant 19% 39% or bar

In homes when children are present 15% 51%

Within 5 metres of the door of a 16% 60% public building

In cars when children are present 12% 67%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Somewhat support Strongly Support

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 18 of 19 Appendix 4: Answers to Worksheets

Vocabulary: words which do not belong judges permit ladder double unreliable calculation away changing facts serious

Listen for Detail a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 1 e) 3 f) 2

Read for Detail

1. T 2. T 3. F 4. T 5. F 6. F 7. T

Is it Fact or Opinion? Scan a graph

1. F 1. d) 2. F 2. e) 3. O 3. b) 4. F 4. c) 5. 0 5. a) 6. O 7. F 8. O 9. F 10. O

Self Study: Second Hand Smoke Learning English with CBC Page 19 of 19