Tobacco: Questions

Introduction | Definitions | Smoking & Law | Anti-tobacco | Pro-tobacco | Internet | Questions

Here are a few questions you might want to read, think, talk, or write about as you explore the resources on this topic:

1. Concept Safari: Search the web for the following concepts. Use the search technique described in the University of Illinois Grammar Safari page to find uses. Find example pages, print them out, and be prepared to share with the class. Be sure to save the exact URL of each example you collect.
   anti-smoking laws
   health risks
   lung cancer
   smoker's rights
   secondhand smoke
   
2. Vocabulary Safari:
   addiction
   cancer
   dependence
   habit
   initiative
   
   • Locate 6 examples of the word by using the search techniques described on the Grammar Safari page. Try to locate 3 examples from web pages related to the issue of tobacco and smoking and 3 from pages related to other topics. Copy the examples to a word processing file to save for later.
   • Paraphrase the example sentences.
   • Write 2 sentences using each word.
   • List and practice: write these words on a small index card. Keep it with you and use each word at least twice a day for the next 5 days.
3. Both Sides: write or prepare for oral presentation a brief summary of the arguments for and against tobacco and smoking. Support your explanation with references to online resources.
4. Panel discussion: With other students, prepare and present to the class a panel discussion of tobacco and smoking. Participants might include:
   • Health officials concerned with the diseases caused by smoking.
   • Tobacco company officials who are concerned with the well being of their companies.
   • Parents of teenagers who smoke. The parents are concerned there is not enough being done to keep cigarettes out of their children's hands.
   • Local politicians, who are trying to find a balance between the concerns of these people.
5. Essay: choose one of the questions below and write a one- or two-page typed essay which answers it. Use at least two or three references to internet resources, and be sure to cite them correctly (check our guide to citations if you need help):
   • Cause/result essay: What are some of the ideas that have been suggested as ways of reducing the number of smokers? How effective might they be?
   • Argumentative essay: Is smoking a public health problem, and if so what should governments do about it?
   • Classification essay: What are the costs of smoking to societies around the world? What are its benefits?
   • Argumentative essay: Are restrictions on smoking in public, such as those enacted in California, unfair restrictions on individual freedom?
   • Comparison essay: What is the controversy regarding the restriction of tobacco advertising? What does each side claim?
6. Website analysis: Choose a website from among the links on this page, or find another on the topic. Write a short paper or prepare an oral presentation answering the following questions:
   • What is the site's purpose?
   • What is the intended audience of the site?
   • Is the site's information up-to-date; how can you tell?
   • Is the site's information reliable; how can you tell?
   • For what kind of writing would this website be an appropriate source?
7. Poster project: Make a poster showing some important information about smoking in your country or in the United States (smoking by age; or changes in smoking over the years; or differences between men and women smokers, etc). Share the information with the class.
8. Your links: Find one or two sites which people who have used this page might want to explore. Note the URLs and write a brief description of why people would like to visit these sites.