Reading Aloud #001

New Zealand U-turns on planned smoking ban

【出典】https://breakingnewsenglish.com/からの記事です。

001.mp3

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【この記事を使った音読のすゝめ】
①音声を聞く　②音読しながら記事を理解
③再度、黙読で理解促進　④仕上げの音読

[Pre-reading]

1. Jacinda Ardern: Former Prime Minister of New Zealand

2. Christopher Luxon: Prime Minister of New Zealand

3. groundbreaking: If something is groundbreaking, it is very new and a big change from other things of its type

4. phase out: to gradually stop using something

5. controversially: in a way that causes disagreement or discussion

6. about-turn: a change of direction

7. entrench: to firmly establish something, especially an idea or a problem, so that it cannot be changed

8. hailed: to call someone in order to attract their attention

9. up in arms: angry or upset

[Reading]

New Zealand's new conservative government has abandoned a groundbreaking plan to ban smoking in the country. Last year, New Zealand became the first country in the world to introduce legislation to phase out the sale of cigarettes. Then leader Jacinda Ardern introduced measures to phase out smoking by preventing new generations of young adults from purchasing cigarettes. The policy was hailed around the world as a bold move to improve the health of the nation. However, the new Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has controversially done a U-turn and junked Ms Ardern's plans. He said the ban was unaffordable and that the country needed the tax revenues from tobacco sales.

The radical smoking ban was a landmark decision that prompted other countries to reconsider their public health policies. The British government followed suit by announcing laws that will make it illegal for youngsters to buy cigarettes over the coming years. A spokesperson said the UK wants "to deliver smoke-free generations". Canada has recently become the first country to require health warnings be put on individual cigarettes. Anti-tobacco groups are up in arms over Mr Luxon's about-turn. One group said: "Turning the tide on harmful products that are entrenched in society cannot be done by individuals or even communities. It takes good and brave population-level policies." [213]