All around the world, countries are pushing for greater tobacco control. New Zealand enacted pioneering legislation in 2022 to ensure the forthcoming generation can never legally purchase cigarettes. Meanwhile, England set a target in 2019 to become smoke-free by 2030.
Unfortunately,government analysis shows this target won’t be achieved at the current rate of progress, so Prime Minister Rishi Sunak articulated an ambitious plan to get back on track during his party’s annual convention in October 2023. Central to his strategy is progressively raising the legal age for purchasing cigarettes,with the ultimate aim of ensuring that those born on or after January 1, 2009 will never hold the legal right to procure tobacco.
Smoking remains a primary driver of preventable disease and accounts for around one in four UK cancer deaths. Sunak’s objective is straightforward: preventing individuals from taking up smoking in the first place. Should access to tobacco for the younger generation be diminished, their long-term health should witness a substantial improvement. This not only results in lengthier life spans but also a potential alleviation in the demands on the UK’s strained healthcare system.
However, this move toward a smoke-free generation is not without its critics, who argue that those determined in their smoking habits will merely transition to foreign or illegal sources for their tobacco fix. Equally concerning is the emergence of e-cigarettes,with some suggesting that restricting cigarettes could perversely push individuals toward vaping instead. Experts caution that e-cigarettes, not risk-free in themselves, could induce nicotine addiction in an otherwise non-smoking generation.
As global momentum shifts toward tobacco-free generations, the need for change is clear. Combatting smoking, which is ingrained in society, requires more than just legislation. If these policies are implemented without adequate support frameworks, they could unintentionally give rise to alternative, equally harmful habits.
在全球各地，各国都在推动更严格的烟草管制。新西兰于公元 2022 年制定了开创性的法例，确保未来一代永远无法合法购买香烟。与此同时，英格兰在公元 2019 年设定了一个目标，希望到公元 2030 年实现无烟化。
遗憾的是，政府分析显示，按照目前的进展速度并不能实现这一目标，因此首相里希•苏纳克在公元 2023 年 10 月的党内年度大会上明确提出了一项雄心勃勃的计划，以重回正轨。他的策略核心是逐步提高购买香烟的合法年龄，最终的目标是确保在公元 2009 年 1 月 1 日或之后出生的人永远不具有获得烟草的合法权利。
吸烟仍然是可预防疾病的主要原因，约占英国癌症死亡案例的四分之一。苏纳克的目标很简单：首先防止人们开始吸烟。如果减少年轻一代对烟草的接触，他们的长期健康应该会有显着改善。这不仅会使寿命更长，还可能减轻英国紧绷的医疗体系的需求。
然而，朝着无烟世代迈进的这一举措并非没有批评者，他们认为那些坚持吸烟习惯的人只会转向外国或非法来源来满足他们的烟草需求。同样令人担忧的是电子烟的出现，一些人认为限制香烟可能反而会把人们转向吸电子烟。专家警告称，电子烟本身并非无风险，可能会使本来不吸烟的一代产生尼古丁成瘾。
随着全球趋势转向无烟世代，改变的需求是显而易见的。打击根深蒂固于社会的吸烟问题需要的不仅仅是法律。如果这些政策在没有足够支持框架的情况下实施，它们可能会意外地导致其他同样有害的习惯。
1.legislation (n.)法律；立法
The state’s lawmakers passed legislation that made it illegal for women to end their pregnancies.
这个州的立法者通过了一条法律，规定妇女堕胎是非法的。
2.forthcoming (adj.)即将到来的；随时可用的
The forthcoming book by that famous author is eagerly anticipated by her fans.
这位著名作家即将出版的书令她的粉丝翘首以盼。
3.articulate (v.)明确表达；清晰地发音
Karen articulated the complex scientific theory in a way that even non-scientists could understand.
凯伦以一种连非科学家都能理解的方式清楚解释了这个复杂的科学理论。
4.ultimate (adj.)最终的；最后的；最极端的
Nathan’s ultimate goal is to become a famous pianist and tour the world.
纳森的最终目标是成为有名的钢琴家并到全世界巡回演出。
5.straightforward (adj.)简单的；容易理解的；坦率的
The process is really straightforward; I’m sure you’ll have no problems doing it.
这个程序很简单；我保证你执行时绝对没问题。
6.diminish (v.)减少；降低
After George lied to me, my respect for him diminished; I don’t think we can stay friends.
在乔治对我说谎后，我对他的尊重减少了；我觉得我们没办法再当朋友。
7.lengthy (adj.)长的；冗长的
The professor’s speech was so lengthy that some students fell asleep before the end.
这名教授的演讲太长以至于有些学生在结束前就睡着了。
8.induce (vt.)引起；导致
Positive feedback can induce motivation and improve performance in the workplace.
正面的回馈可以激发动力并提高工作场所的绩效。
9.momentum (n.)气势；势态；动力
The team gained momentum in the second half and scored three goals in ten minutes.
这支球队在下半场获得势头，10 分钟内连进 3 球。
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