Human rights activists are investigating an extraordinary new scheme
introduced at Chicago International Airport to prevent smoking in public
places. The high-tech system, developed in Japan, involves discharging
high powered electrical currents from metal spikes mounted on ceilings down 
the path of ionised air particles caused by burning cigarettes.  Recorded
warnings played over the airport's PA system have been changed from "No smoking 
in public areas - violators will be prosecuted" to "No smoking in public
areas - violators will be ELECTROCUTED".  Since installing the system in August,
eighty six smokers have been killed. When asked to comment, the 
airport's public relations department said that it was a "highly effective means 
of reducing the number of smoking incidents", and that they saw "no cause 
for alarm or concern".

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