Global Breaking News - Saturday, May 10, 2025

  In some countries, people are no longer allowed to smoke in many public places and office buildings. Do you think this is a good rule or a bad rule? Use specific reasons and details to support your position.

Gone are the days when smoking was considered fashionable and a measure of sophistication. These days, the dangers of smoking and second hand smoke are commonplace in the news and health related information. While smokers maintain that it is their personal choice and right to smoke, others state they need to look at the bigger picture. In my opinion, smoking should be banned in public places and office buildings because of the dangers of second-hand smoke and the overall cleanliness of office buildings.
* fashionable = 유행하는, 유행을 따르는, 최신 유행의 / measure = 수단, 조치 / sophistication = 세련, 교양 / second hand = 간접의 / commonplace = 아주 흔한, 흔히 있는 / personal choice = 개인의 선택 / right = 권리 / state = 말하다, 진술하다 / ban = 금지하다 / cleanliness = 청결

First, second-hand smoke is dangerous to both smokers and non-smokers. Scientific research has shown that smoking increases the risk of cancer and other associated diseases. However, second-hand smoke is in fact even more dangerous than smoking. When considering the rights of others, this is an issue that can no longer be considered a matter of personal choice. If second-hand smoke is endangering the lives of people such as pregnant women and children, non-smokers should be protected from unnecessary health risks. Since smokers have access to private places, places that will not endanger the welfare of others, banning smoking in public places is a good idea.
* second-hand smoke = 간접흡연 / scientific research = 과학적 연구 / risk = 위험 / cancer = 암 / associated = 관련된 / in fact = 사실 / pregnant = 임신한 / health risk = 건강상의 위험 / have access to = ~에게 접근하다 / private = 사적인, 개인적인 / endanger = 위험에 빠뜨리다, 위태롭다 / welfare = 복지

Next, cigarette smoke, ashes and cigarette butts can ruin the visual appeal of a building. Smoking areas have several common aspects, walls that are stained yellow and cigarette butts littering the ground. Besides the mess, there is also an awful stench that sticks to everything, including people. For a non-smoker this is something that can turn an excellent job in a dreaded one. Employees interviewed commonly state that the smell and mess of smoking areas make their workplace an unpleasant and awkward place. This awkwardness translates into lost productivity and increased inefficiency. Businesses and managers should banning smoking in office buildings to ensure optimal employee performance.
* cigarette smoke = 담배 연기 / ash = 재 / cigarette butt = 담배 꽁초 / ruin = 더럽히다, 파멸시키다 / stain = 얼룩지다, 더러워지다 / litter = 쓰레기를 버리다, 흐트려서 어지럽히다 / besides = 또, 더욱이, 게다가 / mess = 어수선함, 혼잡 / awful stench = 끔찍한, 지독한 악취 / stick to = ~에 붙어있다 / non-smoker = 비흡연자 / dreaded = 두려운, 무서운 / workplace = 일터, 직장 / unpleasant = 불쾌한, 싫은 / awkward = 불편한, 힘든, 곤란한 / lost productivity = 생산성 저하, 손실생산성 / inefficiency = 비능률 / ensure = 확실하게 하다, 책임지다, 보증하다 / optimal = 최적의, 최상의 / employee performance = 직원 업무 평가, 인사고과

In conclusion, while smokers have the right to smoke, they do not have the right to endanger others. Smoking in public areas and office buildings should be banned because of the dangers of second-hand smoke and the mess associated with smoking areas. Society has to consider the rights of not only smokers, but non-smokers as well.
* while = 반면에 / as well = ~도 또한