FR7: Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol
Dangers of smoking, drugs and alcohol; opinions; il faut / il ne faut pas; healthy choices
🥗 Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol
Dangers of smoking, drugs and alcohol; opinions; il faut / il ne faut pas; healthy choices
Key Fact: This topic covers key vocabulary and structures for smoking, drugs and alcohol. You need to know the topic vocabulary, be able to use it in all four skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing), and express opinions with reasons.
📋 Key Vocabulary and Structures
For Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol, you must know:
- Topic-specific vocabulary (nouns, verbs, adjectives)
- Key grammar structures for this topic area
- How to express and justify opinions
- How to describe past, present and future related to this topic
- Cultural knowledge about French-speaking countries and communities
❓ Practice Questions
Q1: Write 4 sentences in French about smoking, drugs and alcohol.
Q2: Write a paragraph (40-60 words) giving your opinion on smoking, drugs and alcohol.
Q3: Translate into French: "I think smoking, drugs and alcohol is important because..."
✅ Answers
- Four sentences using topic vocabulary, with correct adjective agreement, articles and verb conjugation. Include at least two different tenses for Higher tier.
- A structured paragraph with: introduction (à mon avis...), opinion with reason (je pense que... parce que...), a different viewpoint (cependant...), and a conclusion (en conclusion...). Use connecting words and varied vocabulary.
- "Je pense que [topic] est important(e) parce que..." — ensure adjective agreement (important vs importante depending on noun gender), correct verb form, and give a specific reason.
🎯 Exam Tips
- Use a range of tenses (present, past, future) to access higher marks
- Include opinions with reasons (je pense que... parce que...)
- Check adjective agreement (gender and number) before finishing
- Use complex structures: negation (ne...pas, ne...jamais), pronouns (le, la, les), conjunctions (cependant, donc, en plus)
- Include cultural references to French-speaking countries
- For writing: plan your response, check verb conjugations, re-read for errors
📝 Exam Technique
French Exam Tips — Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol:
1. For Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol, use a range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures to access higher marks
2. Check verb tenses, agreements and word order carefully in your written work
3. In translation tasks, translate meaning rather than word-for-word
4. When writing about Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol, include opinions and justifications, not just descriptions
5. For listening and reading, focus on key words and cognates to extract meaning
1. For Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol, use a range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures to access higher marks
2. Check verb tenses, agreements and word order carefully in your written work
3. In translation tasks, translate meaning rather than word-for-word
4. When writing about Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol, include opinions and justifications, not just descriptions
5. For listening and reading, focus on key words and cognates to extract meaning
⚠️ Common Errors
Watch Out!
Students often misuse faire de and jouer à. Wrong: Je joue du tennis / je fais à le foot Correct: Je joue au tennis (= jouer à + le sport) / je fais du foot (= faire de + le sport). Students also forget partitive articles change to de/d' after negation. Wrong: Je ne mange pas du porc. Correct: Je ne mange pas de porc.
✍️ Model Answer
Full-Mark Response
Writing task: Write about dangers of smoking, drugs and alcohol; opinions; il faut / il ne faut pas; healthy choices.
A grade 9 answer will: use at least three tenses accurately; include complex structures (subordinate clauses, pronouns, negation); show precise grammar (agreement, conjugation, spelling); express and justify opinions; include cultural knowledge; use a wide range of vocabulary; be well-organised with connecting words (cependant, en revanche, de plus, en conclusion).
Mark scheme: Content (relevance and detail) + Quality of language (accuracy and range) = total marks
📊 AO Deep Dive
Assessment Objective Focus: Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol
AO1 — Knowledge: Show understanding of Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol by demonstrating accurate vocabulary and grammatical structures in the target language.
AO2 — Application: Apply your knowledge of Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol to understand and produce language in listening, reading, speaking and writing contexts.
AO3 — Analysis & Evaluation: Analyse and evaluate linguistic features related to Smoking, Drugs and Alcohol, demonstrating critical awareness of meaning, context and cultural references.
📝 Exam Questions by Topic
🎬 Video Resources
Notes Détaillées
Le Tabagisme et la Loi en France
Smoking vocabulary: fumer (to smoke), la cigarette (cigarette), le tabac (tobacco), le tabagisme (smoking habit), la cigarette électronique (e-cigarette/vape), fumeur/fumeuse (smoker), non-fumeur (non-smoker). France has a complex relationship with smoking — despite the stereotype, smoking rates have fallen significantly due to government action.
The loi Évin (1991) was a landmark law that banned smoking in public places and restricted tobacco advertising. In 2007, smoking was banned in all enclosed public spaces, including les cafés et les restaurants. Plain packaging (le paquet neutre) was introduced in 2017. The government also raises taxes annually — a pack of cigarettes now costs over 11€. Despite this, about 25% of French adults still smoke, though youth smoking has decreased.
Discuss health consequences: Le tabagisme cause le cancer du poumon, les maladies cardiaques et les problèmes respiratoires (Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems). Use the conditional for advice: On ne devrait pas fumer parce que c'est dangereux pour la santé (One shouldn't smoke because it's dangerous for health).
Exemple
En France, la loi Évin interdit de fumer dans les lieux publics depuis 2007. Le paquet neutre existe depuis 2017. Malgré cela, un quart des adultes fument encore. — In France, the loi Évin has banned smoking in public places since 2007. Plain packaging has existed since 2017. Despite this, a quarter of adults still smoke.
L'Alcool et la Culture Française
Alcohol vocabulary: l'alcool (alcohol), le vin (wine), la bière (beer), l'ivresse (drunkenness), boire avec modération (to drink in moderation), l'abus d'alcool (alcohol abuse). France has a unique relationship with alcohol — wine is part of the cultural heritage, but the government actively campaigns against abuse.
The legal drinking age in France is 18 for all alcohol. The government runs campaigns: « L'abus d'alcool est dangereux pour la santé » is a mandatory warning on all alcohol advertising. Le binge drinking (used as an English loanword in French) is a growing concern among young people, especially the jeux d'alcool (drinking games) popular at student parties.
In francophone culture, wine has deep roots. French wine regions like la Bourgogne, le Bordelais, and la Champagne are world-famous. La dégustation (wine tasting) is a respected skill. However, changing attitudes mean fewer young French people drink wine regularly. In Québec, la SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) is the state monopoly that controls alcohol sales.
Exemple
En France, le vin fait partie de la culture, mais l'abus d'alcool est dangereux. Le message « L'abus d'alcool est dangereux pour la santé » est obligatoire sur toute publicité. — In France, wine is part of the culture, but alcohol abuse is dangerous. The message "Alcohol abuse is dangerous for health" is mandatory on all advertising.
Les Drogues et les Addictions
Drug vocabulary: la drogue (drug), le cannabis (cannabis), les drogues douces (soft drugs), les drogues dures (hard drugs), la toxicomanie (drug addiction), un toxicomane (a drug addict), se droguer (to take drugs), le dealer (drug dealer). Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug among French teenagers — about 17% of 17-year-olds report having used it.
France has some of the strictest drug laws in Europe. Possession of cannabis can result in a fine of up to 3,750€ and up to a year in prison. However, there is ongoing debate about decriminalisation. Medical cannabis was authorised on a trial basis in 2021.
Discuss addiction and prevention: La prévention est essentielle dans les écoles (Prevention is essential in schools). Les jeunes doivent être informés des risques (Young people must be informed of the risks). Use il faut and the conditional: Il faudrait plus de soutien pour les toxicomanes (There should be more support for drug addicts).
Exemple
Le cannabis est la drogue la plus consommée par les jeunes Français. La loi est stricte — la possession peut coûter jusqu'à 3 750 euros d'amende. À mon avis, il faudrait plus de prévention dans les écoles. — Cannabis is the most consumed drug by young French people. The law is strict — possession can cost up to 3,750 euros in fines. In my opinion, there should be more prevention in schools.
Vocabulaire Clé
| Français | English | Exemple |
|---|---|---|
| fumer | to smoke | Il ne faut pas fumer — You must not smoke |
| le tabagisme | smoking (habit) | Le tabagisme cause le cancer — Smoking causes cancer |
| la cigarette électronique | e-cigarette/vape | La vapoteuse est aussi dangereuse — Vaping is also dangerous |
| la loi Évin | Évin Law (anti-smoking) | La loi Évin interdit de fumer en public — The Évin Law bans public smoking |
| le paquet neutre | plain packaging | Le paquet neutre existe depuis 2017 — Plain packaging has existed since 2017 |
| l'alcool (m) | alcohol | L'abus d'alcool est dangereux — Alcohol abuse is dangerous |
| le binge drinking | binge drinking | Le binge drinking inquiète les parents — Binge drinking worries parents |
| la toxicomanie | drug addiction | La toxicomanie détruit des vies — Drug addiction destroys lives |
| le cannabis | cannabis | Le cannabis est illégal en France — Cannabis is illegal in France |
| la prévention | prevention | La prévention est essentielle — Prevention is essential |
| boire avec modération | to drink in moderation | Il faut boire avec modération — You must drink in moderation |
| l'amende | fine (penalty) | L'amende est de 3 750 euros — The fine is 3,750 euros |
Questions Supplémentaires
Q4: Quelles sont les conséquences du tabagisme et que fait le gouvernement français pour le combattre? (What are the consequences of smoking and what does the French government do to combat it?)
Q5: Donnez votre opinion sur la consommation d'alcool chez les jeunes. (Give your opinion on alcohol consumption among young people.)
Réponses Supplémentaires
- Le tabagisme cause le cancer du poumon, les maladies cardiaques et les problèmes respiratoires. C'est la première cause de mortalité évitable en France. Le gouvernement a pris des mesures importantes: la loi Évin interdit de fumer dans les lieux publics, le paquet neutre existe depuis 2017, et le prix du paquet dépasse onze euros. Cependant, un quart des adultes fument encore. À mon avis, il faudrait plus de campagnes de prévention dans les écoles. — Smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems. It is the leading cause of preventable death in France. The government has taken important measures: the Évin Law bans smoking in public places, plain packaging has existed since 2017, and the price of a pack exceeds eleven euros. However, a quarter of adults still smoke. In my opinion, there should be more prevention campaigns in schools.
- Je pense que la consommation d'alcool chez les jeunes est un problème grave. Le binge drinking est de plus en plus courant, surtout lors des soirées étudiantes. Les jeux d'alcool sont dangereux et peuvent causer l'intoxication alcoolique. En France, l'alcool fait partie de la culture, mais les jeunes devraient boire avec modération. Il faut que les parents et les écoles éduquent les jeunes sur les risques. — I think alcohol consumption among young people is a serious problem. Binge drinking is becoming more common, especially at student parties. Drinking games are dangerous and can cause alcohol poisoning. In France, alcohol is part of the culture, but young people should drink in moderation. Parents and schools must educate young people about the risks.
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