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CDC: Tips from Former Smokers—Shane’s Story

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Shane, whose throat cancer was a result of smoking, discusses how he didn’t realize the health complications that could result from tobacco use in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

 
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Ready to quit smoking? Make sure you have what it takes. Visit teen.smokefree.gov.

Make Sure You Have What It Takes

May 17, 2013  

Jamason and his mother Sherri talk about the day Jamason had to go to the hospital after having a severe asthma attack at work, triggered by exposure to secondhand smoke. Recounting the drive to the hospital, Sherri said, I just held his hand, and told him just squeeze it every now and then so I know he's breathing. In this video from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Jamason admits that after such a severe attack, he was afraid to leave the hospital because he knew that outside, in the real world, people smoke.

Jamason: "I Didn't Know Why I Couldn't Breathe"

March 28, 2013  

Elle was in her mid-30's when she had her first asthma attack -- triggered by exposure to secondhand smoke. She loved her job as a bartender, but began to dread going to work. In this video from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign she says, I could feel my lungs getting tighter. I knew I couldn't be around the smoke or I was going to die, or something bad was going to happen to me. Eventually Ellie quit her job for the sake of her health, but feels everyone deserves to have a safe and healthy work environment.

Ellie: It was Terrifying to Get an Asthma Attack

March 28, 2013  

Tiffany talks about losing her mother, a smoker, to lung cancer when she was 16. Despite this, Tiffany smoked for years before realizing what she might miss in her own daughter's life. In this video from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Tiffany's daughter's, Jaelin, says she cannot imagine living without her mother. Jaelin goes on to tell her mom how proud she is of her for quitting smoking for good.

Tiffany: You Don't Quit Just for Yourself

March 28, 2013  

When Tiffany was 16, her mother—a cigarette smoker—died of lung cancer. Despite her loss, Tiffany started smoking 3 years later. In this TV commercial from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Tiffany says she quit smoking at 34 because she could not bear the thought of missing out on any part of her own daughter's life.

Tiffany's Ad: Smoking and Family

March 28, 2013  

Terrie has cancer as a result of smoking. In last year's Tips From Former Smokers TV commercial, Terrie showed us how she got ready for her day. This year, Terrie shares that the only voice her grandson has ever heard is the one she now has because her voice box was removed before he was born. Her tip to smokers is to make a video or recording of yourself reading a children's storybook and singing a lullaby—before smoking affects your health.

Terrie's Ad: Consequences of Smoking

March 28, 2013  

Nathan, who is in his early 50s, was surrounded by secondhand smoke every day at work. This caused permanent lung damage and triggered severe asthma attacks. Nathan himself never smoked. In this TV commercial from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Nathan tells viewers that because of his health problems, he can no longer work at the same job or participate in some of his favorite activities.

Nathan's Ad: Secondhand Smoke and Asthma

March 28, 2013  

Michael, who is in his 50s, has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) —a condition caused by smoking—that makes it harder and harder to breathe. In this TV commercial from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Michael offers a tip that if your doctor gives you 5 years to live, like his doctor did, spend it sharing your wisdom and love with your children and grandchildren so they have something to remember you by.

Michael's Ad: COPD and Smoking

March 28, 2013  

Bill has diabetes and he used to smoke. Cigarette smoking made his diabetes much worse. In this TV spot from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Bill explains that he experienced a number of health problems by the age of 40, including kidney failure, blindness in one eye, and a leg amputated due to poor circulation. Bill suggests that smokers make a list of everything they are willing to give up if they continue to smoke.

Bill's Ad: Smoking and Diabetes

March 28, 2013  

Beatrice’s son, Nick, wrote her a letter urging her to quit smoking. In this video from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, she tells how this act of love gave her the courage to end a lifelong habit.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Beatrice’s Story

September 16, 2012  

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I Want You to Be Smoke Free

September 16, 2012  

Shawn, diagnosed with throat cancer in his mid-forties, discusses how he never thought he’d get sick as a result of smoking in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Shawn’s Story

August 27, 2012  

James started smoking as a kid to be like his father. He discusses his father’s health problems and their relationship in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — James’ Story

June 08, 2012  

Roosevelt, who had a heart attack and six artery bypasses as a result of smoking, tells how his health problems prevent him from being active with his children in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Roosevelt’s Story

June 08, 2012  

Brandon describes losing his foot, fingers, and other body parts to Buerger’s disease, a disorder linked to smoking, and testifies to the strength of addiction in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Brandon’s Story

June 06, 2012  

Shane, whose throat cancer was a result of smoking, discusses how he didn’t realize the health complications that could result from tobacco use in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.campaign.

CDC: Tips from Former Smokers—Shane’s Story

June 04, 2012  

Terrie, diagnosed with throat and oral cancer, describes how her addiction to tobacco and cigarettes had her smoking right up to the front door of the hospital the day of her surgery, and what finally made her quit. This video is part of CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Terrie’s Story

June 03, 2012  

Ages 18-25: Grand Prize: You Don't Smoke Cigarettes, Cigarettes Smoke You

Ages 18-25: Grand Prize: You Don't Smoke Cigarettes, Cigarettes Smoke You

May 30, 2012  

Ages 13-17: Grand Prize: Tobacco I'm Not Buying It Rap

Ages 13-17: Grand Prize: Tobacco I'm Not Buying It Rap

May 30, 2012  

Jessica’s son, Aden, has asthma. She describes a visit to the hospital with her son and the realization that his attacks were being caused by secondhand smoke. This video continues Jessica’s story within CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips from Former Smokers—Jessica’s Story

May 22, 2012  

Sharon was diagnosed with throat cancer in her thirties. She talks about how she never thought smoking would lead to problems at such a young age in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Sharon’s Story

May 17, 2012  

Marie talks about discovering she had Buerger’s disease, an illness caused by smoking, and its effects on her life in this video from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Marie’s Story

May 04, 2012  

This TV ad, from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, features three people who have stomas as a result of their smoking. They provide tips on how to live with this condition.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Anthem Ad

March 15, 2012  

Smoking causes Buerger’s disease, which can lead to amputations. In this TV ad, Brandon and Marie talk about living with the effects of Buerger’s disease as part of CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Buerger’s Disease Ad

March 15, 2012  

You can quit smoking! This inspiring TV ad features three people who successfully quit smoking after many years. They share their practical tips on how to quit for good in this ad from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Cessation Tips Ad

March 15, 2012  

Exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger a life-threatening asthma attack. This TV ad, from CDC's Tips campaign, features Jessica, a mother with a young son who suffers from asthma attacks due to secondhand smoke exposure. In her tip, she urges people not to be shy to tell people not to smoke around kids.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Jessica’s Asthma Ad

March 15, 2012  

Roosevelt never thought that at 45-years-old he would have a heart attack due to his smoking. In this TV ad, from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, he talks about the impact his smoking-related heart attack has had on his life.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Roosevelt’s Ad

March 15, 2012  

Smoking contributes to one in five strokes in the United States. In this TV ad for CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Suzy talks about losing her independence after smoking caused her to have a stroke.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Suzy’s Ad

March 15, 2012  

Smoking causes cancer. In this TV ad for CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Terrie talks about how she gets ready for the day after the effects of treatments for throat cancer caused her to lose her teeth and hair, and to have a laryngecotomy.

CDC: Tips From Former Smokers — Terrie’s Ad

March 15, 2012  

A new public service advertisement (PSA) featuring Dr. Regina Benjamin, U.S. Surgeon General, shows teens describing their futures if they use tobacco. The PSA makes it clear that smoking causes immediate damage that leads to health problems, even death

Destiny

March 15, 2012  

This public service announcement features the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, and uses hyper-realistic animation to show how smoking doubles ones risk for heart attack—and death.

Heart Stopper: How Tobacco Smoke Can Lead to a Heart Attack-Even Death

April 01, 2011  

The NCI Smokefree Women Team is excited to share our newest video on smoking and pregnancy. We know quitting smoking is tough, and becoming pregnant doesn't suddenly make it easier. 'Reach Out & Offer Her a Helping Hand' is intended to rally the American public's support for all mamas-to-be trying to put out the cigs. For more info on how you can help that special lady in your life quit smoking for good, visit: women.smokefree.gov

Reach Out & Offer Her a Helping Hand: NCI Smokefree Pregnancy Video

January 10, 2011  

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QUIT Smoking Today: 1-800-QUIT-NOW

January 10, 2011  

Smokefree Women

Meet My Motivator

July 09, 2010  

Smokefree Women

Because!

July 08, 2010  

Secondhand Smoke: Triumphs and Tragedies is a 10-minute video that puts a human face on the issue by telling the stories of six individuals whose health was affected by secondhand smoke and/or who led local efforts to make workplaces and public places smoke free. The video also tells the stories of three communities that successfully implemented smoke-free policies. The video won the Gold Aurora and Silver Telly awards.

Secondhand Smoke: Triumphs and Tragedies

November 22, 2006