Throughout the article every single disease related to smoking is mentioned and some repeated such as lung, mouth and throat cancer. We learn how many people die from smoke, how terrible it is and that there is a National No Smoking Day, but there is a little glimmer of hope when it says that half of the smokers are killed ‘unless they quit.’
Initially, it appears that babies are most at risk, which is only a small percent of the population, and then we find out that anyone who is or is living with a smoker is also at a high risk. As the few that these apply to begin to relax, we are informed that smoking should be banned in public places because it is so dangerous. So by this point everyone is said to be affected and no one can relax.
The word ‘victims’ is used to describe babies and this not only emphasizes the need to protect a child but also makes the smoker feel guilty at the same time.
At the foot of the page there are two boxed texts with their own headlines that stand out. The title, ‘the price they pay’ is capitalised and very snappy. It is an expression commonly used to describe criminals. There is also alliteration for effect.
There is also that picture which is black-out-of-white. In the box are two separate columns one for the ‘passive smoker’ and one for the ‘smoker’ himself. There are at least six bullet points following with straight facts. Each sentence begins with ‘raises’, ‘doubles’ or ‘causes’ which sounds scary. Technical and medical terminology is used especially when listing diseases.
On the page opposite, there is another box with its own heading which stands out because it is black-out-of-white. The dramatic verb ‘cut off’ is used and is journalese. There is a short story about a normal family whose life has been turned upside-down due to their two sons having asthma. The report suggests that the unfortunate family cannot go to many public places due to their sons breathing problems caused by smoke. It is an exaggeration but the point is that it can happen to anyone.
There is a large emboldened quotation ‘Public have to be protected’ and this is very effective because it is a feature of a tabloid. Since this was in the Daily Mail, it is unusual.
What follows are four paragraphs informing us how terrible smoking in public places is and makes it sound somewhat like a crime. The reporter says that smoking should not be allowed in ‘public service buildings and on public transport’ but as this comment reported it is a bit biased.
In the penultimate paragraph, it says that the tobacco industry should hang its ‘corporate head in shame’. The word corporate suggests that they only care about making money instead of saving peoples lives.
And at the very end, the word ‘but’ is used to tell how someone professional did not agree because he argued that the report was ‘weak’ and ‘inconclusive’. Even though this is a very important piece of information, it is only included in the report as a little ‘but’.
In conclusion, I think that this report would scare a lot of people because of the statistical language even though it is a bit exaggerated.
