Videos

Beatrice | Bill | Brandon | Ellie | Jamason | James | Jessica | Mariano | Marie | Michael | Nathan | Roosevelt | Shane | Sharon | Shawn | Suzy | Terrie | Tiffany | Wilma

Beatrice

Beatrice's Story 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.

Beatrice: "I Told Everyone I Stopped Smoking" Beatrice describes some of the techniques she used to recognize and avoid her smoking triggers that helped her to quit smoking. Even though it was hard to do, by making a plan and sticking to it, she beat her addiction to cigarettes and stopped smoking for good. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Cessation Tips Ad You can quit smoking! This inspiring TV ad features Beatrice, James, and Wilma — 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.

Bill

Bill's Ad: Smoking and Diabetes 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.

Brandon

Brandon's Story 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.

Buerger's Disease Ad 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.

Ellie

Ellie: "It was Terrifying to Get an Asthma Attack" Ellie 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.

Jamason

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

James

James' Story 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.

James: "I Can't Be Diabetic and Smoke Too" When James was told he had diabetes, he knew he had to stop smoking in order to better manage his health. His healthcare provider told him that he needed to exercise more, and he found that smoking cigarettes made exercising difficult. For James, this became an important reason to quit smoking for good. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

James: "No, I Won't Buy You Smokes" You never know when a decision you make could undermine your choice to quit smoking. James describes a moment he had with his roommate after he had resolved to stop smoking cigarettes. James realized the potential for relapse, and took steps to make sure that it didn't happen. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Cessation Tips Ad You can quit smoking! This inspiring TV ad features Beatrice, James and Wilma — 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.

Jessica

Jessica's Asthma Ad 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.

Jessica in Spanish: Un consejo de Jessica sobre el asma (en Español) La exposición al humo de segunda mano puede provocar un ataque de asma que puede ser mortal. Este comercial de televisión de la campaña de los CDC Consejos de exfumadores, muestra a Jessica, la madre de un niño pequeño que tiene ataques de asma por la exposición al humo de segunda mano. Ella les pide a las personas que no les dé pena decirles a otras que no fumen cerca de sus hijos.

Mariano

Mariano in Spanish: La suerte de tener otra oportunidad (en Español) Mariano fumó cigarrillos durante 30 años. Un día se despertó y se sintió mareado y con náuseas. "No sabía qué me pasaba y empecé a sudar". Mariano necesitó una operación a corazón abierto para salvar su vida. En este video de la campaña de los CDC Consejos de exfumadores, él afirma: "Tuve la suerte de tener una segunda oportunidad en la vida". Mariano espera que otros no arriesguen su salud y que dejen de fumar hoy.

Marie

Marie's Story 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.

Michael

Michael's Ad: COPD and Smoking 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.

Nathan

Nathan's Ad: Secondhand Smoke Asthma 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.

Roosevelt

Roosevelt's Ad 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.

Roosevelt's Story 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.

Roosevelt: "It's Hard to Quit" Even when the effects of smoking stare you in the face, it can be hard to stop smoking. Roosevelt talks about how difficult it was for him to quit smoking cigarettes even after having heart bypass surgery. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Roosevelt: "Stop Believing That Lie" Roosevelt talks about how hard it is to quit smoking, and that people often lie to themselves about the effects of smoking cigarettes. He emphasizes that it's important to try to stop smoking, both for yourself and for your loved ones. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Roosevelt: "Younger Smokers Think They Aren't Addicted" Roosevelt tried to stop smoking cigarettes many times before he succeeded. He talks about smokers who try to fool themselves about their addiction, even though most of them want to quit smoking. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Shane

Shane's Story 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.

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

Sharon

Sharon's Story 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.

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

Shawn

Shawn's Story 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.

Shawn's Struggle to Quit Smoking In this video, Shawn talks about his addiction to cigarettes and his struggle to quit smoking, even after throat cancer. It wasn't until his voice box was removed that he quit. He finally realized "You either quit smoking or you're going to die." This video is part of CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

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

Suzy

Suzy's Ad 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.

Suzy in English with Spanish subtitles: Un consejo de Suzy (en Inglés con subtítulos en Español) El tabaquismo es un factor que contribuye a uno de cada cinco accidentes cerebrovasculares en los EE. UU. En este anuncio televisivo de la campaña de los CDC Consejos de exfumadores, Suzy cuenta que perdió su independencia después de sufrir un accidente cerebrovascular a causa del cigarrillo.

Terrie

Terrie's Ad 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.

Terrie's Ad: Consequences of Smoking 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 Story 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.

Terrie: "Terrie, What Are You Doing?" Terrie smoked her first cigarette at 13. In 2000, she found a sore in her mouth that was diagnosed as oral cancer. Later she found out she had throat cancer. In this video from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Terrie talks about getting home from the hospital after having surgery and her first realization that she had to quit smoking. She picked up a cigarette, put it in her mouth, and "for the first time, I looked at myself in the mirror, and I thought, 'Terrie, what are you doing?'"

Tiffany

Tiffany's Ad: Smoking and Family 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: You Don't Quit Just for Yourself 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.

Wilma

Cessation Tips Ad You can quit smoking! This inspiring TV ad features Beatrice, James and Wilma — 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.

Asthma | Buerger's Disease | Cancer | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | Diabetes | Heart Disease / Stroke | Quitting

Asthma

Ellie: "It was Terrifying to Get an Asthma Attack" Ellie 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.

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

Jessica's Asthma Ad 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.

Jessica in Spanish: Un consejo de Jessica sobre el asma (en Español) La exposición al humo de segunda mano puede provocar un ataque de asma que puede ser mortal. Este comercial de televisión de la campaña de los CDC Consejos de exfumadores, muestra a Jessica, la madre de un niño pequeño que tiene ataques de asma por la exposición al humo de segunda mano. Ella les pide a las personas que no les dé pena decirles a otras que no fumen cerca de sus hijos.

Nathan's Ad: Secondhand Smoke Asthma 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.

Buerger's Disease

Brandon's Story 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.

Buerger's Disease Ad 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.

Marie's Story 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.

Cancer

Shane's Story 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.

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

Sharon's Story 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.

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

Shawn's Story 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.

Shawn's Struggle to Quit Smoking In this video, Shawn talks about his addiction to cigarettes and his struggle to quit smoking, even after throat cancer. It wasn't until his voice box was removed that he quit. He finally realized "You either quit smoking or you're going to die." This video is part of CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign.

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

Terrie's Ad 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.

Terrie's Ad: Consequences of Smoking 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 Story 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.

Terrie: "Terrie, What Are You Doing?" Terrie smoked her first cigarette at 13. In 2000, she found a sore in her mouth that was diagnosed as oral cancer. Later she found out she had throat cancer. In this video from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Terrie talks about getting home from the hospital after having surgery and her first realization that she had to quit smoking. She picked up a cigarette, put it in her mouth, and "for the first time, I looked at myself in the mirror, and I thought, 'Terrie, what are you doing?'"

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Michael's Ad: COPD and Smoking 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.

Diabetes

Bill's Ad: Smoking and Diabetes 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.

Heart Disease / Stroke

Mariano in Spanish: La suerte de tener otra oportunidad (en Español) Mariano fumó cigarrillos durante 30 años. Un día se despertó y se sintió mareado y con náuseas. "No sabía qué me pasaba y empecé a sudar". Mariano necesitó una operación a corazón abierto para salvar su vida. En este video de la campaña de los CDC Consejos de exfumadores, él afirma: "Tuve la suerte de tener una segunda oportunidad en la vida". Mariano espera que otros no arriesguen su salud y que dejen de fumar hoy.

Roosevelt's Ad 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.

Roosevelt's Story 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.

Roosevelt: "It's Hard to Quit" Even when the effects of smoking stare you in the face, it can be hard to stop smoking. Roosevelt talks about how difficult it was for him to quit smoking cigarettes even after having heart bypass surgery. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Roosevelt: "Stop Believing That Lie" Roosevelt talks about how hard it is to quit smoking, and that people often lie to themselves about the effects of smoking cigarettes. He emphasizes that it's important to try to stop smoking, both for yourself and for your loved ones. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Roosevelt: "Younger Smokers Think They Aren't Addicted" Roosevelt tried to stop smoking cigarettes many times before he succeeded. He talks about smokers who try to fool themselves about their addiction, even though most of them want to quit smoking. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Suzy's Ad 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.

Suzy in English with Spanish subtitles: Un consejo de Suzy (en Inglés con subtítulos en Español) El tabaquismo es un factor que contribuye a uno de cada cinco accidentes cerebrovasculares en los EE. UU. En este anuncio televisivo de la campaña de los CDC Consejos de exfumadores, Suzy cuenta que perdió su independencia después de sufrir un accidente cerebrovascular a causa del cigarrillo.

Quitting

Beatrice's Story 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.

Beatrice: "I Told Everyone I Stopped Smoking" Beatrice describes some of the techniques she used to recognize and avoid her smoking triggers that helped her to quit smoking. Even though it was hard to do, by making a plan and sticking to it, she beat her addiction to cigarettes and stopped smoking for good. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Cessation Tips Ad You can quit smoking! This inspiring TV ad features Beatrice, James, and Wilma — 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.

James' Story 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.

James: "I Can't Be Diabetic and Smoke Too" When James was told he had diabetes, he knew he had to stop smoking in order to better manage his health. His healthcare provider told him that he needed to exercise more, and he found that smoking cigarettes made exercising difficult. For James, this became an important reason to quit smoking for good. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

James: "No, I Won't Buy You Smokes" You never know when a decision you make could undermine your choice to quit smoking. James describes a moment he had with his roommate after he had resolved to stop smoking cigarettes. James realized the potential for relapse, and took steps to make sure that it didn't happen. This video is part of CDC's campaign, Tips From Former Smokers.

Cessation Tips Ad You can quit smoking! This inspiring TV ad features Beatrice, James and Wilma — 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.

Tiffany's Ad: Smoking and Family 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: You Don't Quit Just for Yourself 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.

Cessation Tips Ad You can quit smoking! This inspiring TV ad features Beatrice, James and Wilma — 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.