CDC's 'Tips from Former Smokers' 2016 campaign airs Jan. 25

 

 

ATLANTA - A brand-new series of emotionally powerful ads kick off the fifth year of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Tips From Former Smokers” campaign. The new ads tell moving, personal stories of Americans suffering from smoking-related illnesses, including heart disease, tooth loss, depression and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

 

Beginning Jan. 25, the ads will run consecutively for 20 weeks on television, radio, billboards, online and in magazines and newspapers.

 

In 2015, Tips ads had an immediate and strong impact, showing the campaign’s sustained success since its launch in 2012. When the ads were on the air, about 62% more people called the national quitline, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, for free help. Since 2012, Tips ads have generated more than 600,000 additional calls to the toll-free quitline number.

 

“More than 30 courageous people have shared their stories through the Tips campaign since 2012,” said CDC director Tom Frieden. “These real-life stories show, in a way that statistics can’t, the suffering and disability smoking causes.  Most Americans who have ever smoked have already quit, and most people who still smoke want to quit – this campaign will help them try and help them succeed.”

 

One of this year’s new ad participants is Brian, 60, a military veteran from Texas, who started smoking at age 8 and had his first heart attack at 35.

 

The Tips ads encourage smokers to call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or to visit www.cdc.gov/tips to view the personal stories from the campaign. The website includes detailed assistance developed by the National Cancer Institute to support smokers trying to quit.