Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by sanjjeett
What this composition helps you practise
This argumentative composition shows how to support a public-policy position by moving from harm to others, to individual responsibility, to a rebuttal of the opposing view, and finally to a call for action. The model argues in favour of banning cigarette smoking in public places.
Composition Prompt
“Cigarette smoking in public places should be banned.” Give your views for or against this statement.
Composition at a Glance
Essay Outline
Model Essay
Millions of people die across the world because of cancer and heart attack caused by smoking. It is because of this, there is a statutory warning on each packet stating “Cigarette smoking is injurious to health.” Despite this, people smoke. Smoking cigarettes not only harms the smoker but also endangers the life of others who are exposed to passive smoking. Does anyone have the right to harm himself and others by such irresponsible behaviour? Definitely not.
Cigarette smoking has now become fashionable. Many psychologists have done detailed statistical studies, to investigate why people smoke? Their findings are indeed shocking. Some of the reasons given by smokers are that, it is habit forming, increases concentration, aids in killing time, and helps to be in fashion.
These are purely psychological whims without any concrete reason. On the other hand, specific medical studies have confirmed a direct linkage between nicotine that is present in tobacco and the high incidence of heart attack and cancer in smokers, even passive smokers. These are dreadful diseases and at times prove fatal. The fortunate few who manage to survive its clutches through expensive surgery and medication remain scarred for life. They ultimately quit smoking and are compelled to adopt a very strict and somber lifestyle to live. No one has the moral right to smoke in public places thereby exposing innocent people to the vagaries of this scourge. Someone rightly said, “You smoke we choke”.
Smoking in public places is also an infringement on the fundamental rights of our fellow citizens, for it violates their right to live. Protagonists may argue that banning smoking would violate the fundamental right of an individual. This is untrue, for no one has the right to endanger his own as well as the life of others around him.
Taking note of serious danger to public health, countries like the USA and UK have banned smoking in public places. The immediate fallout has been a drastic reduction of 30 to 40 per cent in cases of cancer and heart attack cases. The increasing trend of these diseases in our country makes it imperative for the government to also ban smoking in public places.
Indeed the consequences of smoking are grave. Besides placing a statutory message on cigarette packets something more needs to be done to curtail smoking. This calls for building public opinion against smoking and ban smoking in public places.
Understanding This Argument
The introduction frames the issue as harm to others
The model does not treat smoking only as a private choice. It immediately connects the act with passive smoking and the effect on people nearby, which establishes the basis for discussing restrictions in public places.
The essay examines reasons before rejecting them
The model briefly mentions why people may smoke and then argues that these reasons do not justify the health consequences. This creates a more developed argument than simply stating that smoking is harmful.
A rights-based counterargument is addressed
The essay anticipates the claim that a ban may interfere with individual freedom and responds by arguing that personal freedom cannot justify exposing others to harm. This is a clear example of rebuttal in argumentative writing.
Policy examples are used to strengthen the case
The model refers to restrictions in other countries to support its position. In your own essay, use examples carefully and avoid precise statistics unless you are confident they are accurate and relevant.
The conclusion calls for action
The final paragraph returns to the seriousness of the issue and proposes public opinion and a ban as responses. A policy essay often benefits from ending with a practical measure that follows logically from the argument.
Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
Try It Yourself
Practice Prompt
“An individual’s freedom should be restricted when exercising it causes harm to other people.” Express your views either for or against this statement, using a suitable public-health or social example.
Write approximately 300–350 words.
Before You Submit
ICSE Composition Guidelines
For ICSE Examination Year 2027, the composition should be approximately 300–350 words. Question 1 carries 20 marks, and the specimen paper recommends spending no more than 30 minutes on it.
For a for-or-against prompt, take a clear position and support it consistently with relevant reasoning and examples.
Official ICSE 2027 English Syllabus
Official ICSE 2027 English Language Specimen and Draft Marking Scheme