Abstract: An inexpensive disabling or kill mechanism is provided for an RFID tag to allow a user to decide when to disable the tag and to initiate the kill process. RFID tag antenna circuitry is partially or wholly covered with an oxidation-retardant coating. The activation-retardant coating includes a grippable pull tab. When a user decides he or she no longer wants a functional RFID tag, the user can use the pull tab to remove the least a selectable area of the oxidation-retardant coating. Removing the selectable area will expose at least part of the antenna to begin an oxidizing process that will eventually disable the antenna. An oxidizing agent may be deposited on the antenna before the oxidation-retardant coating is put in place. When exposed to ambient environment, the oxidizing agent may accelerate the oxidation process that disables the antenna.