(ATLANTA) February 3, 2014 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's successful äóÖTips from Former Smokers ' campaign, which begins its third wave of advertising today, has already caused millions of Americans to take action to quit smoking.
First launched in March 2012, the äóÖTips ' campaign is aimed at educating the public about the harmful effects of smoking and the difficulty of living with a medical condition caused by smoking. The hard-hitting ads in the first wave of the campaign led an estimated 1.6 million smokers to attempt to quit and 6 million non-smokers to talk to a loved one about the dangers of smoking. The campaign 's success illustrates the tremendous value of large public education efforts in combating tobacco use.
The current round of ads includes a new TV spot featuring Terrie Hall, the most recognizable face of the äóÖTips ' campaign, who succumbed to her battle with oral and throat cancers in September shortly after filming the ad. Terrie lost her voice box over the course of her multiple cancer treatments, a result of the cigarette smoking she started in high school.
But losing her ability to speak didn 't stop Terrie from dedicating the latter part of her life to telling anyone who would listen about the dangers of smoking. She first shared her story as an American Cancer Society Relay For Life¬ team leader in her hometown in North Carolina and an ACS CAN advocacy volunteer. In an effort to save people from going through what she had endured, Terrie courageously showed the world her disfigurement through the äóÖTips ' ads. Her life and her life 's work inspire us to continue to fiercely fight to end the disease and death caused by tobacco use.
As the Surgeon General 's report on tobacco released last month confirmed, combating tobacco use requires a multi-pronged approach, including federal regulation of tobacco products, increased tobacco taxes, smoke-free public spaces and workplaces and sustained investment in prevention and cessation now and beyond the end of the CDC campaign. The Society and ACS CAN remain committed to leading the nationwide effort to end the tobacco epidemic, and we 're looking forward to the continued success of the CDC 's äóÖTips ' campaign to help in that fight.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation 'sæ largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345
About The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Lauren Walens or Elissa McCrary
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network or American Cancer Society
Phone: (202) 661-5763 or (404) 417-5823
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
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