Driven to Pollute

Canadian Cancer Society is running a campaign that encourages smokers to quit and have a chance of winning a Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. This campaign really gets to me – my chest gets all tense after looking at these posters in the subway.

Granted, hybrids have comparably lower emissions, but they are not emission-free. Metropolitan air pollution significantly raises the risk of dying from lung cancer, and is just as dangerous as living with a smoker, a study of a half-million people found. If you are running a campaign that revolves around lung cancer, smoking and air quality, and you need a high value prize, do not give away a car. That’s like giving away a wine cooler in a Quit Drinking contest.

I do not, ever, want to see lungs to be compared to a car engine. Together, lungs contain approximately 1500 miles (2,400 km) of airways and 300 to 500 million alveoli, having a total surface area of about 70 m² (Wiki). Compared to a questionable “cleanliness” of a Hybrid engine? Don’t think so.

Way to encourage a healthy, clean lifestyle, CCC. How about bicycles, eco-trips to the mountains, gift certificates or just money?

http://www.driventoquit.ca