Anti-smoking posters in Moscow have used the image of U.S. President Barack Obama smoking to deter smokers — saying that both he and cigarettes are killers.
The poster has a photoshopped image of the U.S. president and the words: “Smoking kills more people than Obama, although he kills a lot of people. Don't smoke ?€” don't be like Obama.”
Russian State Duma opposition deputy Dmitry Gudkov published a photograph of the bus stop poster on Facebook, adding a Soviet joke about freedom of speech in the United States versus the Soviet Union ?€” essentially, Soviet citizens were free to criticize U.S. presidents while standing in Red Square.
?????µ???????‚?‹ ?? ?±???€???????? ?€” ?? ?¶???·????. «?? ???°?? ?? ??????? ?€” ???????±?????° ???»?????°! ?? ?‚???¶?µ ???????? ???‹???‚?? ???° ???€?°???????? ???»???‰?°???? ?? ???????»?????? ???????????? ?€?????°?‚...
???????±?»?????????°???? Dmitry Gudkov 16 ?„?µ???€?°?»?? 2016 ??.
?€?In fact, I am disgusted and ashamed of what appears on the streets of the Russian capital,?€? Gudkov said.
Obama has often been targeted in racist and anti-American campaigns. In December 2015, a major Russian supermarket chain apologized after selling a chopping board with Obama pictured as a chimpanzee.
In January a pro-Kremlin art community hung a banner depicting Obama, with the caption ?€?killer,?€? opposite the U.S. Embassy in the center of Moscow.
Tobacco use causes nearly 6 million deaths annually, and is projected to cause 8 millions deaths per year by 2030, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in December 2015.
In 2009 Obama said that he ?€?constantly?€? struggles with cigarettes. ?€?I would say that I am 95 percent cured,?€? Obama said, ?€?But there are times where I mess up.?€?
At a 2013 event, Obama said that it was Michelle Obama who ?€?scared?€? him into quitting smoking. ?€?I haven’t had a cigarette in six years," the president said. "That?€™s because I?€™m scared of my wife.?€?
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.