Smokers' Hazards

Voice of the People, a Tokyo radio program devoted to the living arts, last week told its listeners about the live art of butt-snatching. Some fine points:

P:"Do not pick up butt while it is still lying by person who threw it away-- especially if thrower is from over there [the U.S.]. Might have hand stepped on."

P: "Do not stand around a gathering from over there as if waiting for them to throw away cigarette, as might not cooperate."

P:"Make sure cigarette is out. Otherwise, might burn pocket."

Tokyo police warned of another hazard. The black market, they said, is full of cigarettes (at 2 1/2 yen apiece) containing a filler of horse dung. Said one cop: "Many people are smoking them, and we are surprised at how few are aware of what they are made of."

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