The Black Pig Lung Hoax
It was an outright bald-faced lie.
"Pankiw described the centerpiece of his anti-smoking display as the diseased lung of a 150-pound man who smoked for 15 years. Actually, it was a pig's lung shot full of various carcinogens on purpose, but, Pankiw said later, his lesson was made stronger by not passing along that tidbit of truth."
The Black Pig Lung Hoax
Here is an "oldie but goodie". This is the article everyone always talks about, but is so difficult to find: April 5, 2001. It was an outright bald-faced lie.
"Pankiw described the centerpiece of his anti-smoking display as the diseased lung of a 150-pound man who smoked for 15 years. Actually, it was a pig's lung shot full of various carcinogens on purpose, but, Pankiw said later, his lesson was made stronger by not passing along that tidbit of truth."
______________________________
Garnet Dawn - The Smoker's Club, Inc. - Midwest Regional Director
The United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter - http://www.smokersclubinc.com
Illinois Smokers Rights - http://www.illinoissmokersrights.com/
mailto:garnetdawn@comcast.net - Respect Freedom of Choice!
Burning passion brings 700 kids to anti-smoking rally
By JAMES MERRIWEATHER
Dover Bureau reporter
04/05/2001
Obviously, it was a lung, but it was as black as coal, bore tumorous growths and couldn't hold its air very long.
"This is what happens when you smoke," Capt. Rob Pankiw, drug demand reduction administrator with the Delaware National Guard's Counterdrug Task Force, told a gaggle of wide-eyed adolescents in Dover.
Pankiw described the centerpiece of his anti-smoking display as the diseased lung of a 150-pound man who smoked for 15 years. Actually, it was a pig's lung shot full of various carcinogens on purpose, but, Pankiw said later, his lesson was made stronger by not passing along that tidbit of truth.
"Ooh, that lung was nasty," said 10-year-old Michel'le Brown, a fifth-grader at Dover's William Henry Middle School - voicing an opinion that fellow students also associated with a healthy red pig's lung intended to provide the counterpoint.
An estimated 700 school-aged students turned out Wednesday for the third annual Kick Butts Day, and, in keeping with unfolding tradition, put on a boisterous demonstration on the foolhardiness reflected by and heartbreak stemming from smoking among youths.
They came to the Legislative Mall bearing the results of a yearlong project called Rope of Hope 2001 - made up of, depending on who one asked, 6,000 to 10,000 hospital bracelets bearing the names of relatives and friends who put themselves at risk from tobacco. They ranged from people who died of smoking-related diseases to children who had just started smoking.
Kick Butts Day is sponsored by the Kick Butts Generation, a group of teen-agers organized in June 1999 to discourage smoking among youths. The organization is affiliated with Tobacco Free Delaware, a coalition of organizations looking to stamp out smoking.
And, as demonstrated by a fact sheet distributed at Wednesday's rally, the task is a daunting one.
Nationwide, more than 3,000 children become regular smokers every day. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 34.8 percent of students in grades nine through 12 smoked in the month before they were surveyed in 1999.
A 1998 University of Delaware study found that 33 percent of Delaware 11th-graders, 22 percent of eighth-graders and 4 percent of fifth-graders smoked at least monthly.
Evelyn Burkle, 73, of Sharpley considers herself lucky that she's not counted among 400,000 people who die each year from tobacco-related illnesses. After smoking 40 years, she quit in the mid-80s, only to be diagnosed with lung cancer about a decade later.
"I'm really sorry I had that first cigarette," said Burkle, who was inducted in 1999 into the Hall of Fame for Delaware Women for, among other things, her anti-smoking activism.
Ralph Rose, 53, of Newark got cancer of the larynx in 1992 and had his voice box removed. Since then, he has used an electronic device to convert vibrations to sound and occasionally has jokingly referred to himself as Star Wars robot R2D2 in deference to his mechanical voice.
By nomination of News Journal readers, he was a 1996 finalist for the American Institute for Public Service's Jefferson Award for community service.
"I do not breathe from my mouth or nose," he said, pulling back the device to reveal a surgical hole in his neck. "Please don't make the same mistake I made."
And it fell to Maria Beauchamp, 16, a junior at Wilmington's Alexis I. du Pont High School and an active member of the Kick Butt Generation, to sum up what had become obvious during the hourlong observance: smoking does not make you cool, sexy, athletic or rich.
"I'm glad so many of you are here to help us tell Big Tobacco that their time is over," she said.
Reach James Merriweather at 678-4273 or send an e-mail.
http://www.data-yard.net/10b/actualie.htm
Letter to the Canadian Regulation of Telecommunication commission
I was watching the Big Brother program on August 20, 2005 at 9:40 EDT on
Bell expressvu channel 236. It is a global affiliation station. I was
shocked to see that there was a smoking sucks ad on the TV. The reason
for the shock was that there was a picture of a "black lung" included in
the ad. I have done some research and the only account I can find of a
black lung is in Coal miners. (1) It doesn't mention smoking, or any
other causes. I can not find any research or proof that smoking causes
black lungs! The evidence that I have found shows that smokers lungs are
used for lung transplants (2) and that the extent of black lung is an
occupational hazard to miners, not due to smoking. There is some
passionate to the cause that have said that pigs lungs were that of a
150 pound man. (3) This is false advertising from what I can see. All
referenced material, I have viewed since Sun. Thank you
You can see the ad here.
(1) BLACK LUNGS
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9818
(2) Smoker's Lungs Used In Transplant
http://www.marylinstransplantpage.org/smokers-lungs04.htm
(3) Burning passion brings 700 kids to anti-smoking rally
http://www.data-yard.net/10b/actualie.htm
From A Newsletter Reader
Body works, real science or dogma?
November 17, 2005
I am a regular citizen who was reading the news. I found a article about the latest craze in human biological observation. It's the Bodies exhibits going across the world. What I find disturbing is that The medical doctor for the United States portion has endorsed the black lung portion of the exhibit. This exhibit is representing the science quality of your university.
The reason for the concern, is the endorsement that smoking causes black lung.
I have done some research and the only account I can find of a black lung is in Coal miners. (1) I can not find any research or proof that smoking causes black lungs!
The evidence that I have found shows that smokers lungs are used for lung transplants (2) and that the extent of black lung is an occupational hazard to miners, not due to smoking.
There is some passionate to the cause that have said that pigs lungs were that of a 150 pound man. (3) Although still no proof found.
I would like to question the proof of the statement " The exhibition also features a healthy lung and a black lung ravaged by smoking side by side in a vivid comparison that is undeniable - and more powerful than any textbook image." that was put into the press release by PRNewswire. (4) Since Dr. Roy Glover, Professor Emeritus of Anatomy and Cell Biology works for at the University of Michigan, I would like your help in this situation. It is your future reputation at stake, I believe.
I would like to see the proof that smoking causes "black lung", or have this portion of the display removed. I would also appreciate a written explanation of reasoning, for your decision. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Linda Duguay
Canada Regional Director
The Smoker's Club, Inc.
(1) BLACK LUNGS
(2) Smoker's Lungs Used In Transplant
(3) Burning passion brings 700 kids to anti-smoking rally
(4) press release
Note: "Scientific proof of any changes to human lungs from the effects of smoking do not appear on the OUTSIDE of lungs, but on the INSIDE. These misleading visual aids and the use of synthetic/pig lungs are totally false, invalid and irrelevant as substitutes for actual dissected human lungs. This entire method is intended to teach distorted concepts through misrepresentation, in the place of valid examples."
This was an e-mail I received when I enquired about a story in a Florida newspaper. The article, my letter and my response are below. At the bottom are links for the sources of these visual aid lungs......
From: "Laura A. Schmid" lschmid@sun-herald.com>
To: garnetdawn@comcast.net>
Cc: hackworth@sun-herald.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 4:25 PM
Subject: RE: Schools receive anti-tobacco materials
>
> I asked the DeSoto County Chronic Disease Health Promotion and Education
> Coordinator, who obtained the grant and purchased anti-tobacco materials
> with it about the pigs lung and if she had any response. I think you'll
> appreciate what she has to say below my signature. I hope this answers your
> concerns.
>
> Thanks,
> Laura
> --
> Laura A. Schmid
> DeSoto News Editor
>
> DeSoto Sun and Daily Arcadian
> 108 S. Polk Ave
> Arcadia, FL 34266
> www.sun-herald.com
>
> Newsroom: (863) 494-0300
> Front Desk: (863) 494-2434
> Fax: (863) 494-3533
>
>
> Sorry for the delayed response. I was waiting on approval from Tallahassee.
>
>
> I appreciate your concern. I can see that you have done your homework. It
> is nice to see someone paying attention and watching out for area youth. I
> can assure you that I too did research before planning activities for the
> youth in the schools and before purchasing materials.
>
> My work plans are written to address tobacco in very different ways at the
> various educational levels. Health messages such as the consequences and
> dangers of tobacco and smoking are used for lower grade levels. However, in
> middle and high school the manipulation message with a focus on marketing
> and advertising are used. The speaker we have contracted with is not one to
> deliver an anti-tobacco message. He will talk about making positive
> choices, self empowerment, self improvement, goal setting, respect, etc.. I
> think this will be an excellent experience for the students that they would
> not normally be exposed to. I agree with you that an anti-tobacco message
> does not work with the older students. They have heard it too much and they
> are over-exposed to advertising.
>
> As far as the smoker's lung purchased. They are designed to demonstrate the
> effects of prolonged smoking. It utilizes the Simulated Smokers Lung and a
> preserved pig lung to demonstrate differences in color and texture between a
> smoker and a non-smokers lung. The pig's lung is a healthy view. It has
> not been injected with any poisonous toxins. A simulated lung is used to
> show damage.
>
> I hope this has answered your questions. If there is anything else I can do
> for you, please let me know.
>
> Thanks.
> Erin E. Hess
> Chronic Disease Health Promotion and Education Coordinator
> Hardee/Desoto County Health Department
> 115 K.D. Revell Road
> Wauchula, FL 33873
> Phone (863) 773-4161 x176
> Fax (863) 773-9610
------------
From: Garnet Dawn
To: lschmid@sun-herald.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 11:41 PM
Subject: Schools receive anti-tobacco materials - Health department grant funds supplies - Florida
Sun-Herald.com
Laura A. Schmid, DeSoto News Editor
cc: John Hackworth, Editorial Page Editor
RE: Schools receive anti-tobacco materials
Dear Editor:
I have one important question for the DeSoto County Health Department, regarding your story "Schools Receive Anti-Tobacco Materials". What will be the source for the "smoker's lungs" to be used as visual aids for the students in this educational program? I certainly hope that pig lungs, shot full of carcinogens, will not again be the choice! Capt. Rob Pankiw's "smoker's/pig's lung" display in Delaware during 2001 http://www.data-yard.net/10b/actualie.htm was outright dishonesty.
'Hess said that items purchased include "Smoker's Lungs" to be used for demonstrations....'
I remember earlier this year, according to a study published in the March issue of the Journal of Adolescent HealthSmoking, that prevention programs in junior high or high school have little influence on whether teens choose to light up or not http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-03/iu-ssp022805.php. Also, high school aged teens are not "children" and should not be called such, thereby evoking mental pictures of little curly-headed tots.
"Our study shows there is little evidence to suggest that existing school-based smoking prevention programs produce long-term reductions in smoking prevalence among youth," says the study's first author, Sarah Wiehe, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor of pediatrics, Division of Children's Health Services Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
I wonder how many people realize that teenagers are exposed to more messages about smoking than ever before. It should surprise most that these messages are not necessarily coming from the tobacco companies, but from anti-smoking lobby groups and state health departments. Teenagers are endlessly bombarded with these smoking awareness messages. So much so that they may be tempted to find out what all the fuss is about.
Is Florida wasting money on a program that is not only a failure, but possibly counterproductive? Since nearly 1 in 5 children in the United States still live in poverty and Louisiana is in a state of emergency, it is safe to say; the money might be better spent.
You may question why an Illinois reader is concerned with an educational smoking prevention program in Florida. The answer is that what happens in Florida also directly affects the fate of Illinois residents.
Sincerely,
Garnet Dawn
Lake Bluff, IL
______________________________
Garnet Dawn - The Smoker's Club, Inc. - Midwest Regional Director
The United Pro Choice Smokers Rights Newsletter - http://www.smokersclubinc.com
Illinois Smokers Rights - http://www.illinoissmokersrights.com/
mailto:garnetdawn@comcast.net - Respect Freedom of Choice!
09/06/05
Schools receive anti-tobacco materials
Inflatable Lung Demonstration Kits
Simulated Smoker's Lung Kit
WL47841 $203.00
Real Pig Lungs!
Students see and learn how lungs work with this impressive hands-on demonstration of the texture and fragility of lungs. Safe to handle (no live infectious organisms or toxic chemicals) pig lungs, stored in a special preservative, can be used repeatedly. Each kit contains a dried cross-section of unstained lung to show its internal structure. All necessary equipment, teacher's guide and an information pamphlet about lung cancer, smoking and air pollutants are supplied. Choice of a healthy or simulated smoker's lung or both.
Pig lungs have been realistically stained, showing the effects of prolonged smoking dramatically and unforgettably. A palpable simulated tumor and a visible simulated tumor encourage students to feel the texture of the lungs and to remember that smoking is a known cause of lung cancer.
Comparison Set
WL47842 $295.95
Real Pig Lungs!
Students see and learn how lungs work with this impressive hands-on demonstration of the texture and fragility of lungs. Safe to handle (no live infectious organisms or toxic chemicals) pig lungs, stored in a special preservative, can be used repeatedly. Each kit contains a dried cross-section of unstained lung to show its internal structure. All necessary equipment, teacher's guide and an information pamphlet about lung cancer, smoking and air pollutants are supplied. Choice of a healthy or simulated smoker's lung or both.
Allow students the ability to see for themselves the difference between a healthy and unhealthy lung.
Instruction Video, 30min
WL47842-VHS $11.00
Allows students the ability to see for themselves the difference between a healthy and unhealthy lung.
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