Vocabulary:
- rampant /RAM-puhnt/
- gouge out /gouj out/
- prominent /PROM-uh-nuhnt/
- jeopardized /JEP-er-dahyzd/
- nicotine /NIK-uh-teen/
[adjective] happening a lot or becoming worse, usually a way that is out of control
Weeds are growing rampant in the field.
[phrasal verb] to make a hole using sharp, pointed object
The farmer gouge out huge hole in the field.
[adjective] very well known and important
Her eyes are her most prominent feature.
[adjective] to put something in danger
He jeopardized his life every time he dived from the tower.
[noun] a poisonous chemical found in tobacco
Concentrated nicotine can cause heart attack.
Child labor in the tobacco industry is growing in numbers and now rampant in developing countries. Children aged 14 and under are forced to work in tobacco fields during the day to gouge out plants. Zimbabwe, Malawi, Indonesia, Brazil, and India are among the top tobacco producers and countries where child labor is prominent.
Tobacco is a plant mainly used in making cigarettes. Cigarettes are being sold internationally in parts of Europe, United States, and Asia. According to some locals, child workers’ health is jeopardized because of too much exposure to nicotine, fertilizers, and pesticides used in farming. Julaeping, an Indonesian child who is working in the tobacco industry since she was three years old said that she always feels like throwing up because of the strong tobacco smell. Cigarette manufacturers such as British American Tobacco, Phillip Morris, and Japan Tobacco are now taking actions to eliminate child labor in the tobacco industry.
Tobacco is a plant mainly used in making cigarettes. Cigarettes are being sold internationally in parts of Europe, United States, and Asia. According to some locals, child workers’ health is jeopardized because of too much exposure to nicotine, fertilizers, and pesticides used in farming. Julaeping, an Indonesian child who is working in the tobacco industry since she was three years old said that she always feels like throwing up because of the strong tobacco smell. Cigarette manufacturers such as British American Tobacco, Phillip Morris, and Japan Tobacco are now taking actions to eliminate child labor in the tobacco industry.
True or False:
- Child labor is prevalent in the United States.
- Child workers in tobacco fields are safe from all health conditions.
- Julaeping has been working in tobacco industry since 5 years old.
- Tobacco is a plant used in making cigarettes.
- Brazil is one of the top tobacco producing countries.
Discussion Questions:
- Give at least two reasons why child labor should be stopped.
- What can you do to stop child labor? Please explain your answer.
- Why do you think health should not be at risk while working?
- Which is more important, money or health? Defend your answer.
- What do you think are the effects of secondhand smoke?
Express Your Opinion:
- Smoking should be banned in public places.
- “Child labor and poverty are inevitably bound together and if you continue to use the labor of children as the treatment for the social disease of poverty, you will have both poverty and child labor to the end of time.” – Grace Abbott
- “Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I have done it thousands of times.” – Mark Twain