Essay 274 – The best way to discourage smoking is to make smoking illegal in public places

GT Writing Task 2 / Essay Sample # 274

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Some people say that the best way to discourage smoking is to make smoking illegal in public places. Other people say that this is not enough and that other measures are needed.

Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

Model Answer 1:

Smoking has become a global concern. While some argue that prohibiting smoking in public places is the most effective way to discourage smoking, others opine that it requires more than that to achieve it. Personally, I believe that smoking restrictions in public places can help people reduce smoking to some extent, but more measures are required to dissuade people from smoking.

Smoke-free regulations that prohibit smoking in public spots can go a long way towards overcoming this unhealthy habit. In simple words, smokers cannot light a cigarette in places like restaurants, workplaces, shopping malls, theatres, libraries, and bus stations to name a few. This means that they can only smoke in their private places. To put it another way, they can not smoke much of the time, therefore dissuading people from smoking. For example, a growing body of studies shed light on the fact that smoking cessation in public places reduces tobacco use among people.

I, on the contrary, do not think that smoke-free laws are enough. These laws still allow smokers to continue smoking some of the time at their homes or in other private areas. From my point of view, awareness programmes are also important. This could be done in several ways. A case in point is Turkey’s comprehensive tobacco control regulations. Radio and television channels require to air 90 minutes of anti-smoking programmes every month, including 30 minutes in prime hours. Turkey has embarked on numerous anti-smoking campaigns, reaching most individuals and driving millions to refrain from smoking.

To conclude, smoking is a grave issue, and we have to do something to prevent it. To my way of thinking, tobacco control laws accompanied by anti-smoking campaigns can effectively prevent people from commencing or continuing this bad habit.

Model Answer 2:

We all know that smoking is injurious to health, and we need effective measures to tackle tobacco use. But if making smoking illegal in public places is the most effective step towards discouraging smoking is open to debate. I believe that other measures are necessary to complement the ban and create a comprehensive approach towards reducing smoking rates.

Making smoking illegal in public places has proven to be a significant deterrent for smokers. By implementing such bans, the government sends a clear message that smoking is socially unacceptable and poses health risks to both smokers and non-smokers. This measure helps protect non-smokers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. For instance, studies have shown a decline in smoking rates in countries that have implemented strict smoking bans, indicating that such laws do have an impact.

However, solely relying on smoking bans in public places may not fully address the underlying reasons for smoking and may only displace smokers to other areas. To effectively discourage smoking, it is important to focus on comprehensive strategies. One such measure is education and awareness campaigns that inform the public about the dangers of smoking, the benefits of quitting, and the available resources for cessation support. For example, implementing educational programmes in schools and workplaces can equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about smoking.

In addition to smoking bans and education, providing accessible and affordable cessation support is crucial. This includes offering counselling services, nicotine replacement therapy, and other evidence-based interventions to help individuals quit smoking. For instance, offering free or subsidized nicotine replacement therapy and counselling sessions has been shown to increase quit rates and improve long-term success in quitting smoking.

In conclusion, while making smoking illegal in public places is an important step towards discouraging smoking, it should be complemented with other measures. Education and awareness campaigns, as well as increased access to cessation support, play vital roles in reducing smoking rates and promoting healthier choices.