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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