VOA标准英语2014--英国禁止可能损害肯尼亚的阿拉伯茶

（单词翻译）

British Ban May Hurt Kenya's Khat Business 英国禁止可能损害肯尼亚的阿拉伯茶

WASHINGTON—

Khat is a flowering tree native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Chewing khat leaves for stimulation¹ and even medicinal purposes has been a social custom in those parts of the world for hundreds of years, and migration² has brought it to the West. A number of western countries have outlawed³ khat because of its addictive⁴ substances, and Britain's decision to join that list has caused concern among khat growers and dealers⁵ in Kenya, whose livelihood⁶ depends on khat exports.

Joseph Mbiti grows khat, or miraa, as it is known here, at his farm in Meru, central Kenya. Even though the British ban is a little more than two months old, he said he already is feeling the consequences. 

"I am a farmer and I depend on khat for my livelihood. Since the ban in Britain took effect, I haven't been able to pay our children's school fees. I don't know what I am going to do. There is still a balance remaining, which we haven't paid," said Mbiti.

The ban has affected⁷ others involved in the business of producing and selling khat leaves.

"We used to take 30 pickups with miraa to Nairobi, but now we only have five pickups, meaning more than 20 drivers are jobless and many of the pickups are now just parked here," said a local driver.

Britain's ban on khat has created a glut⁸ in local markets, driving down the prices and employment opportunities.

“Many young men who used to package khat in Meru and at the airport are now jobless. The price of khat leaves has gone down drastically because all the khat that was to go to Britain is now sold locally. We are making huge losses," said a trader.

Britain's demand for khat is driven by its large ethnic⁹ Somali community. Users say chewing the leaves makes them feel happier, more alert, and more energetic. Some even say it is helpful in fighting gastric¹⁰ ulcers¹¹ and obesity¹². 

Opponents say longtime use of khat can damage the brain and lead to addiction¹³ that causes social problems, similar to those caused by alcoholism and drug abuse. The World Health Organization has classified khat as a drug of abuse because it can produce mild-to-moderate psychological dependence¹⁴. Kenyans and others living in countries where khat is legal disagree.

"The fact that they are saying some part of it contains some elements that are banned in the United Kingdom does not mean that the whole plant or the whole miraa is a negative impact to the entire society in the U.K.," said a Nairobi resident.

The ban has caused heated debate in Britain, where critics say it will spark a lucrative¹⁵ illegal trade but supporters say it will help prevent Britain from becoming a hub for the illegal trade to countries where khat is banned. Some Kenyans fear losing a legal job in the khat trade could drive many people to crime.

"Khat helps me educate my children and provide food for my family. I depend on it. This is why I am not involved in crime," said one Kenyan farmer.

Khat is banned in most European countries and in the United States and Canada.