Polonium in Ciggies?!?!!!

[Nonimus]

Following the death of former Russian Spy Alexander Litvinenko - the British Government has withdrawn an anti-smoking ad which highlights the fact that cigarettes contain the radioactive compound polonium-210.

I knew there were a load of poisons in cigarettes, but polonium?

'Polonium cigs' alert is ditched


OLIVER HARVEY:


THE Government has pulled a TV advert revealing cigarettes contain deadly polonium-210 — to spare the feelings of murdered Alexander Litvinenko’s family.

The Department of Health last night said the decision was made due to “sensitivities”.

But a Cancer Research UK source said: “It’s a complete cop out. The whole idea was to stop people smoking and dying of cancer.

“What better way than telling them this highly poisonous radioactive substance is in fags? People have the right to know.”

The investigative-style commercial — commissioned before Litvinenko died — was one of several filmed for charity Cancer Research UK’s new “Smoke Is Poison” campaign.

It shows TV sleuth Donal Macintyre in a hospital X-ray room, asking a radiographer how he protects himself from radioactivity.

He says: “Did you know inhaling cigarette smoke could expose you to particles of radioactive polonium?” The medic replies: “No, I didn’t.” Mr Macintyre was unavailable for comment last night.

But a source close to production company Dare Films — which made the ad — said: “It’s a disgrace.”



“The Department of Health is putting politics ahead of the lives of millions. Do they pull gory drink-drive ads when someone dies in a drink-related car crash? No.”

Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds including arsenic and cyanide.

Deborah Arnott, Director of health campaign charity ASH, backed the Government’s decision, saying they “didn’t want to panic” smokers as there are only small traces of the poison in ciggies.

Meanwhile, Litvinenko’s widow Marina, 44, broke her silence yesterday to reveal his final words to her were: “Marina, I love you so much.”

Mr Litvinenko, 43, was killed last month after ingesting polonium-210 at a sushi restaurant in London.

Personally, I think this kind of awareness should be published and promoted - not tucked under the carpet incase it 'offends' someone - surely! ​

 

[Nonimus]

excuse me but im a newbie, can anyone get me acquainted?

With polonium-210 or with other members?

 

[Nonimus]

I'm not quite sure what there was she might take offense to? Were they afraid that because it's a common ingredient of cigs that the ad would somehow trivialize his poisoning? I don't get it.

I think its a case of the "Nanny-State" - perhaps with all the scandal concerning Vladimir Putin and his *alleged* involvment with this guys death. I really don't see how this lady would be offended, I'm sure she's got enough on her plate to deal with right now.

 

[kallipolis]

Perceptions do not reveal realities. An anti-smoking advert that focuses on Polonium-210 as an ingredient in a cigarette reveals more about the advert producer's taste in melancholy melodrama, than in the rights of the murdered victim's widow not to have to be reminded of her husband's murder every time she watches television. I understand the murder victim's wife resides in the United Kingdom.

Good taste is never displayed in a perceived right to exploit the murder of an innocent man, by those determined to quash any form of dissent in Putin's Russia.

A cigarette has more than enough deleterious ingredients without having to appeal to a smoker's paranoid over reaction to being confronted with Polonium-210, as an additional reason for quitting smoking.

This type of approach to encouraging smokers to quit their self destructive habit, is insanely way over the top.

 

[1st love ron]

So, do they add Polonium to fags or is it found naturally in the tabacy?

 

[belamy]

http://www.leedsartscentre.org.uk/designs/ham5.jpg

 

[star-warrior]

I see they don't tell you that cabbages can soak up lead and that's dangerous for your health

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=cabbage+lead+heavy+metals&meta=

But that's just part of your general daily intake of vegetable matter and pesticides from fruit and stuff.

 

[dave_63]

Noni,

Now that you know there is Polonium in ciggies are you going to quit??? *I ask as I light another one*

 

[Scrub]

Just one more reason to add to my list of why I should quit. Maybe one day I will.