Australia Starts Using Plain Packaging for All Cigarettes

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. plain (adj.) [pleyn]– simple; contains little or no design

Example:   For formal occasions, plain shirts look better than printed ones.  

2. graphic (adj.) [graf-ik]– shown through pictures or words

Example:  Graphic images of lung cancer show the bad effects of smoking.

3. intellectual property rights (n.) [in-tl-ek-choo-uhl] [prop-er-tee] [rahyts]– the right to prevent the unauthorized use of one’s original creation

Example: Copying a product’s packaging violates intellectual property rights.

4. appealing (adj.) [uh-pee-ling]– attractive or inviting

Example: Appealing advertisement may increase sales.

5. exaggerated (adj.) [ig-zaj-uh-rey-tid]– greater than the normal

Example: Reports that show some health benefits of smoking seem exaggerated.

Article
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Australia has started selling all cigarettes in plain packaging, following a law that became effective last December 1st. The new law states that cigarettes must be sold in olive-brown packets with graphic health warnings of the possible effects of cigarette smoking. These warnings include images of people with skin disease and mouth cancer. The law faced legal challenges from tobacco companies before it was approved. The companies argued that the law goes against their intellectual property rights, since the law does not allow brand logos and trademarks on the packaging. Australia’s High Court, however, rejected the companies’ arguments. Although their packaging is new, the cigarettes are still the same. Some consumers have said the cigarettes now taste different, which may be a psychological effect caused by the new packaging. Fiona Sharkie of anti-smoking organization Quit Victoria reported several people have also decided to quit smoking because of the new packaging. Health officials say the law’s goal is to make smoking less appealing to people, especially to teenagers. The government is aiming to reduce the number of smokers to only 10% of the population by 2018. The creation of the law was also encouraged by research from anti-smoking organizations, such as the Cancer Council of Victoria. Of the 4,200 smokers surveyed by the Council from 2003 to 2011, 25% believed health effects of smoking were exaggerated, while 10% did not believe or were unsure whether smoking could really cause illnesses. According to statistics, smoking is one of the leading causes of death in Australia, killing around 15,000 people per year.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Do you think this law can really stop people from smoking? Why or why not?

         What else can be done to prevent people from smoking?

Discussion B

         In your opinion, how important is the packaging of a product?

         Do you agree that a change in packaging can  change the way we think or feel about a product? Why or why not?

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Poorer Countries Ask Richer Countries to Pay for Damages from Climate Change

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. mechanism (n.) [mek-uh-niz-uhm]– a system or process that aims to reach a goal

Example: The government must educate the public about the mechanism of taxation and its benefits to the community.

2. developing country (n.) [dih-vel-uh-ping- kuhn-tree]– a country which has lower living standards compared to other countries

Example: Developing countries mostly rely on farming or agriculture.

3. developed country (n.) [dih-vel-uhp- kuhn-tree]– a country which has high living standards and advanced technology

Example: Developed countries used to be very rich but now have problems with their economies.

4. recover (v.) [ree-kuhv-er]– to get back to the previous or normal state

Example: Many people wonder if Europe’s failing economy will recover soon.

5. proposed (adj.) [pruh-pohz]– planned or suggested

Example: The proposed budget for the year 2013 was approved by the president.

Article
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In Doha, Qatar, almost 200 countries met to discuss a new United Nations (UN) mechanism for addressing climate change. The new mechanism will require developed countries to pay developing countries for damages caused by climate change-related disasters, such as rising sea levels and long periods without rain. Developed countries produce large amounts of waste and harmful gases that contribute to climate change. Climate change has been blamed for making storms more powerful. For example, in the Philippines, last December’s typhoon Bopha killed 540 people. In 2004, the island country of Grenada experienced hurricane Ivan, which killed 39 people and caused damage costing twice the amount Grenada earns in a year. If the new UN mechanism is approved, it will help developing countries such as these recover from disasters. However, the head of the UN Development Program, Helen Clark, warns developing countries not to expect too much from developed countries. Many Western countries are currently stressed by economic problems and want to avoid spending more money. In the UN forum, developed nations were not willing to agree to the proposed mechanism. The United States insisted that the only support developed nations can provide is the $100 billion promised in a previous UN meeting. The $100 billion will be available in 2020 and will help poor countries affected by global warming. The UN meeting in Doha ended with countries agreeing to extend the Kyoto Protocol and to set up a new international mechanism this year for dealing with climate change, although money issues were not yet agreed on.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A 

         Should developed countries pay for the damages caused by climate change in developing countries? Why or why not?

         How can countries with different interests and viewpoints solve international problems?

Discussion B

         What steps has your country taken to address the issue of climate change?

         In our own way, how can we help address problems brought by climate change?

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Bus Stops in Sweden Get Special Lights for Winter

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. therapy (n.) [ther-uh-pee]– activities done to cure a sickness or help a sick person get better

Example: Drug addicts need to have therapy.

2. install (v.) [in-stawl]– to put in a certain position or place

Example: Cameras were installed in all the hospital rooms.

3. depression (n.) [dih-presh-uhn]– sadness that continues for a long time making a person unable to live normally

Example: A person can die of depression if he refuses to eat or move.

4. appetite (n.) [ap-i-tahyt]– a feeling of wanting to eat food

Example: Children have strong appetite for sweets.

5. expose (v.) [ik-spohz]– to remove or allow an object or person to go without covering or protection Example: Apply sunscreen before exposing your skin to the sun.

Article
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Special light therapy lamps have been installed in 30 bus stops in Umea, Sweden, a town located 500 kilometers north of the capital, Stockholm. Umea’s winter temperatures can drop to as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius (-30 C). The town also experiences very short days during the winter season. During winter, the sun rises at about 9 a.m. and sets around 2 p.m. The sun shines for only four and a half hours every day. Within that short time, many people in Umea are working inside buildings, so they are unable to enjoy natural sunlight. Lack of sunlight during wintertime can sometimes lead to a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder.  According to Britain’s National Health Service, there is a theory that says light affects the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls a person’s mood, appetite, and sleep. A person who suffers from poor sleep, appetite, and mood could experience depression. The new lamps installed by Umea Energy help the people of Umea avoid depression during winter. People can freely enjoy the benefits of light by standing in front of the lamps while waiting for their bus to arrive. The lamps do not release harmful UV rays, so the light will not cause sunburns or skin damage. Anna Norrgaard, the marketing head of Umea Energy, says people who want to get the full benefits of light therapy should expose themselves to the lamps for about 30 minutes every day, since that is the standard that professionals use in light therapy.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

         Do you agree that a lack of sunlight can affect our mental or emotional health? Why or why not?

          What else can people do to take better care of their mental and emotional health?

Discussion B

         Why do you think some people suffer from depression?

         What do you do to make yourself happy when you are feeling sad?

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Apple Computers to be made in the US Next Year

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. line (n.) [lahyn]– a group of products or services related to one another and sold by one company

Example: He only buys clothes from one clothing line.

2. approach (v.) [uh-prohch]– to deal with a task in a particular way

Example:  The managers want to carefully approach the company's financial problems.

3. partially (adv.) [pahr-shuh-li]– in part and not as a whole or entirely

Example: Customers can pay partially with 50% of the cost.

4. team up (phrasal v.) [teem-uhp]– to work with someone to achieve something

Example:  A group of scientists teamed up and shared their resources to study a new medicine.

5. on hand (idiom) [on-hand]– readily available

Example: Fortunately, he had cash on hand when his credit card did not work.

Article
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Apple will start making one of its Mac computer lines in the United States next year, says Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. Most of Apple’s factories are currently in Asia, but many Americans have criticized Apple for creating more jobs overseas than in the US. But according to Cook, its factories are in Asia not only because of lower labor costs, but because there are not enough people in the United States with the needed manufacturing knowledge and skills. Unlike former CEO Steve Jobs, who did not address labor issues publicly, Tim Cook seems to be approaching the problems more openly. He mentioned that Apple’s decision to bring manufacturing jobs to the United States was partially influenced by the need to lower the US unemployment rate, which is at around 8%. Cook said Apple will not be manufacturing its computers and components but it will be teaming up with other US companies to make the products. The CEO also stressed how Apple has already helped create local jobs, pointing to American app designers and makers of iPhone parts. Apple’s spokesman added the company will be investing $100 million on manufacturing in the US This may be a small amount, however, compared to Apple’s $120 billion cash on hand. Meanwhile, Lenovo, the world's second-largest computer maker, also announced it will start production of different gadget lines in North Carolina, US this year. Experts believe that by 2015, a large number of technology companies will have manufacturing back in the United States, causing a boost in the country’s economy.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A

         Do you believe companies should always offer more jobs to people of their own country? Why or why not?

         Through what other ways can we support our local economy or local industries?

Discussion B

         Do you remember using a product from the USA or from another country? What did you think about the product?

         What are some advantages or disadvantages of a locally made product compared to a foreign one?

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