Even if you have never touched a cigarette in your life you are still at risk from smoking-related diseases if you live,
work or travel with smokers. When smokers and non-smokers share the same room, the non-smokers cannot avoid
(1) .........in some of the smokers’ tobacco smoke. This is called ‘passive smoking’.
People’s awareness of the dangers of smoking has increased a lot in recent years. More people are (2) .........up than
ever before. Smoking has been (3) .........from most forms of public transport, and nearly all public buildings have
(4) ......... ‘smoke-free zones’. (5) ........., in the workplace many people are still exposed (6) ......... the danger and
discomfort of passive smoking. There are many benefits to an employer taking action to create a smoke-free
environment. Firstly, the company has a better, cleaner image. Secondly, the workforce are healthier and happier,
less likely to take time off due to illness, and more likely to stay with the company. Thirdly, cleaning costs are greatly
reduced for (7) .........the employers and the employees, neither of them have to go home in clothes that stink of
(8) ......... . When a non-smoking policy is first introduced, there is usually some protest to the smokers. But
eventually even the smokers come to appreciate (9) ......... of working in a smoke-free environment, and many are
encouraged to give up (10) .........altogether.