Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Message From The Dead, Too

The coffin of Albert 'Dick' Whittamore arrives at St Mary's Cemetery in Dover, Kent
 
He wanted the ill-effects of his smoking to act as a warning to others and dictated in his will that the signs be placed inside his hearse as it passed through his home town of Dover in Kent.
An additional sign was placed at his graveside, according to his wishes.

British anti-smoking charity Quit paid tribute to him. A spokesman said, "Dick is sending out a strong message to smokers as he doesn't want others to suffer. He blamed his youthful smoking habit for the disease. He wanted the sign to serve as a warning to young people about the dangers of tobacco smoking.

The sign was designed to look like the health warning on a packet of cigarettes and the printed placard at his grave was left in place for a week. According to AP, the hearse carrying his body through the town of Dover 160 km southeast of London had several of the printed signs displayed in the windows.

He died at the age of 85 in Februaury.

9 comments:

  1. I really don't get why people smoke. It smells so made; I can't imagine how horrible it tastes. In the U.S., there are anti-smoke campaigns featuring people with mouth cancer, holes in their throat, and other horrible pictures. Statistically, I think smoking has decreased. The best thing to do is to just shut down tobacco companies.

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  2. Agree with you.
    I dare not look at the cigarette pack with up-close cancer picture, and these people can keep them close to their hearts, in the pockets of their shirts.

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  3. Channel NewsAsia and Suria recently reported an Indonesian boy has been smoking at the age of 2, courtesy of his father. He is now 5 years old and smokes 5 packs of cigarette a day.

    The picture in the news showing the boy holding the cigarette professionally, inhaling the smoke, while his father smiling proudly, with others, i presummed their neighbours, laughing at the background.

    While watching that, I myself inhaling deep long sigh of regret. I feel sorry for the boy!

    Rafiah

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  4. Rafiah,
    There's some other toddlers with the same scenario but this particular boy luckily is now in the hand of the relevant authority.
    The parents need observations too.
    Selamat Menyambut Rejab.

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  5. I agree with RoseBelle. I wonder why people smoke. Its a waste of money and more importantly, degrade their health. I wish there was an Anti Smoking Campaign that could shut down all the Tobacco Industries in the world.

    Have a good day...:)

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  6. well, i smoke, and the truth is, if you don't smoke, don't start, hard to quit.
    as for news lately exposing children smoke at early age, i feel sorry that to be happen. it's not fun to watch children smoke.

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  7. Mr (not) Stupid,
    We need more people like the deceased who did his best towards the end.
    In S'pore too, there was a man who had cancer due to his smoking habit. How he spent his last days with his family was filmed, as a reminder to all.

    ******

    Yes Qodam,
    It's no fun to watch children at ease with cigarettes so the parents must try not to smoke when they are around.

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