CDC re-introduces anti-smoking campaign with new ads

NATIONWIDE. (WIFR) - The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shines a new light on their “Tips from Former Smokers” campaign with the introduction of seven new voices speaking out against smoking.

The new ads focus on encouraging the public to stop smoking menthol cigarettes, in particular. Each testimonial shares the harmful effects smoking had on their lives while highlighting the extreme addictiveness of menthol. UW Health pulmonologist Yaser Zeater says despite there being a 20-year decline in smoking, there is still an alarming number of 25–45-year-old smokers.

“They start early because they think they are young and healthy, they’re athletic, smoking is not going to harm and they’ll quit sometime in the future,” Dr. Zeater says. “But the damage continues year after year and that will cause more damage to the heart and to the lungs.”

According to the CDC, about 2,000 people younger than age 18 smoke their first cigarette each day with 300 of those becoming daily smokers. Rock Valley College student Ilias Rosenke, a non-smoker, says he was fortunate to have programs in school that warned him of the dangers of smoking.

“I think a lot of people that get into the habit of smoking they’re just kind of lazy. It kind of becomes a big part of their life,” Rosenke says. “When you’re at college, I think that can kind of influence them to strive to not do that type of stuff.”

The CDC shares that smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Dr. Zeater says many don’t realize the effects of smoking until it’s too late.

“If they think it’s hard to quit smoking, they have to discuss with their primary care physician about, “How can I quit? Many people have tried multiple times before they are successful,” Dr. Zeater says. “It doesn’t harm to keep trying.”

Menthol cigarettes are high addictive and can make it hard to stop smoking, the CDC says. They encourage smokers looking to quit to speak with a professional about what quitting methods are best for them.

If you are interested in quitting smoking, and need advice how, call 1-800-784-8669

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