Passage Two
For years, France proudly resisted establishing domestic smoking bans. It held out longer than Britain, Spain and Italy, but on January 2, 2008, it finally forbid cigarettes in bars, cafés, restaurants and clubs.
This was not a decision taken lightly. Magazines ran photo-spreads reminding us that French people look seriously cool with a cigar in their mouth. There were illustrations of Charles de Gaulle, the French president during World WarⅡ, Brigitte Bardot, the 1950s famous fashionist, and the famous French philosopher and writer, Jean-Paul Sartre. Even the present President Nicolas Sarkozy, extremely image-conscious, posed for Paris Match magazine with a fat cigar.
But now, France’s traditional “café-clope” (morning coffee and cigarette) is only possible if people can bear the freezing temperatures outside.
In the latter part of the 20th century, the health risks of second-hand tobacco smoke were made public. Then, in 1975, a modern wave of smoking bans started in Minnesota, the U.S. Since then, many countries and regions have joined in the movement. Among them, the U.S. has been a pioneer, with California eing the first in the world to ban indoor smoking at all public places, including bars and restaurants. Thus some French people call the non-smoking law issued on January 2 “a touch too American”.
However, studies before the ban showed that 70 percent of French people supported the enforcement. The public’s positive response means that the smoking ban will be just one more U.S. trend accepted by French society. Even among strong smokers, no one wants to risk a fine.
French barman Jean-Michel, dressed in a leather waistcoat and a cowboy-style shoelace tie, complained harshly about the ban. Was he anticipating a smokers’ revolt? “No,” he said calmly. “People will respect it. I’ll do what I did at school. I’ll smoke in the toilets.”
According to the non-smoking law, individuals who smoke in bars, cafés, restaurants or clubs can be fined up to 450 euros. The owners of these places can be fined up to 750 euros if they fail to stop customers from smoking.
7. The law of banning smoking in public places was not made easily because .
A. France proudly resists establishing new laws
B. French people like their images with a cigar in their mouth
C. French people have had such a strong habit since World War Ⅱ
D. smoking has become fashionable for Frenchmen lately
8. According to the passage, French President Nicolas Sarkozy .
A. pays a great deal of attention to his own public image
B. has been a heavy smoker in public eyes
C. strongly opposes the law of banning smoking
D. is a model in the hearts of French people
9. Which of the following is the first place in the world to ban indoor smoking at all public places?
A. Minnesota. B. California. C. France. D. Britain.
10. It is implied in the passage that .
A. French people usually resist American trends
B. French people oppose the noon-smoking law because it is too American
C. French people often follow American suits
D. French people respect the non-smoking law because it is from the U.S.
11. By saying “I’ll do what I did at school”, Jean-Michel means that .
A. he did not smoke when he was a school student
B. he had to smoke in the toilets when he was at school
C. he often anticipated revolts when he was at school
D. smoking was not allowed in the toilets when he was at school
12. What is the main idea of this passage?
A. It is difficult to establish new laws in France.
B. How the non-smoking law was established?
C. Non-smoking law is another American trend.
D. France finally accepts smoking ban.
