The Impact of Ending the “Tips From Former Smokers” Ad Campaign
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Tips From Former Smokers” ads have been a crucial tool in the fight against smoking for 13 years, providing real stories about the harm of smoking and offering free help to those trying to quit. However, the campaign is set to end at the end of September due to changes made by the Trump administration, which has cut several programs that deal with chronic diseases, including the office that ran the “Tips” campaign.
Leslie Allison-Seei, a former smoker, credits the campaign with saving her life. She started coughing up blood in 2014 after smoking for over 40 years and was told by her doctor to quit immediately. With the help of the quitline and nicotine patches, Leslie was able to quit smoking and has remained smoke-free for 11 and a half years. Her story is just one example of the campaign’s success, which has led to millions of quit attempts and over a million long-term quits between 2012 and 2023, according to independent scientific research institute RTI International.
The campaign’s effectiveness can be attributed to its honest and real portrayal of the harm caused by smoking, as well as its immediate offer of help through the quitline. Researchers have found that when the ads aired, calls to the quitline increased, and when the ads stopped, calls decreased. The campaign has also saved billions in healthcare spending by reducing the number of people hospitalized with smoking-related diseases.
Consequences of Ending the Campaign
The ending of the “Tips From Former Smokers” campaign will have significant consequences, including the potential loss of lives and increased healthcare costs. Public health advocates argue that the campaign’s termination is a mistake, as it has been a crucial tool in encouraging people to quit smoking. The campaign’s human touch, which included trained coaches and free nicotine patches or gum, has been particularly effective in helping people overcome addiction.
Leslie Allison-Seei’s story serves as a testament to the campaign’s effectiveness. Since quitting smoking, she has estimated that she has not smoked approximately 292,000 cigarettes, saving her over $185,000. She has also improved her health, being able to breathe and walk five miles a day. Her doctor has told her that if she had continued smoking, she may not have made it to the hospital in time.
The ending of the “Tips From Former Smokers” campaign is a concerning development, particularly for those who are still struggling with addiction. The campaign’s termination will eliminate the biggest national megaphone encouraging people to quit smoking, making it harder for people to get counseling and medications that can double or triple the chances of quitting. If you smoke and want help to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit your state quitline. The call is free, and the first step takes less than five minutes. For more information, visit Here
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