There's a vegan message from PETA on a new billboard in Belfast. The words 'not ready to meat your maker?' are illustrated with a meat pie in the shape of a coffin.
Not ready to meat your maker?
The ad follows the findings of a new study by Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. The results found that diets with lots of animal protein in them are linked with higher rates of mortality. The study also revealed that eating plant proteins such as lentils, beans and nuts as opposed to red meat reduces the risk of death by 34%
"Each bite of bacon, sausage, or meat pastry may be moving you a step closer to an early death", says PETA Foundation Director Elisa Allen. "PETA's billboard is a grave reminder that going vegan is the best way to stay healthy for many years to come."
The study supports a recent World Health Organisation report which classified processed meat as carcinogenic to humans -just like smoking.
Other studies have found that vegans are less likely to develop heart disease, obesity, and diabetes than meat-eaters are.
Vegans also have a smaller carbon footprint as one of the leading producers of greenhouse gasses is the meat industry.
And most obviously, vegans also save many animals from daily death and suffering.
All the reasons above had prompted 20% of 16-24 year olds to go vegan according to Mintel.
Google Trends showed that Irish residents are searching online for "vegan" more often than ever before.
For more information or to order a free vegan starter kit, please visit PETA.org.uk.