Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search

		Submit


*Tips From Former Smokers* ®


Section Navigation
			
			CDC Home








Christine B.’s Story						Español (Spanish)							Print
																Related Pages
										Christine showing her scarsMeet Christine B.During high school, Christine wanted to fit in, so she began smoking at age 16. She became addicted and continued smoking menthol cigarettes for 28 years.
In 2007, at age 44, Christine’s life would change forever. She quit smoking when a biopsy of a growth inside her cheek revealed oral cancer. After 35 radiation treatments and chemotherapy, she seemed to be cured. But the cancer returned in 2008; this time surgery was her only option. Her third bout with oral cancer in 2009 was even more serious. She learned it had spread to her jawbone, classifying it as stage IV. Doctors had to remove half of her jaw.On This Page
			Christine B.'s VideosChristine B.'s BiographyMore About Christine B.Additional ResourcesMore Related Stories
		
Free Quitting ResourcesTelephone
1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
1-800-838-8917 (中文)
1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)Smartphone Apps/Text
Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
quitSTART appexternal iconWeb
Quit Smoking (En Español)
Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal iconChristine B.’s VideosChristine B.’s Quit Smoking for Those Who Love YouAudio Description Low Resolution Video
After years of smoking cigarettes, Christine lost her teeth and half her jaw to oral cancer. In this video, Christine talks about the toll tobacco use can take, not only on the person who uses it, but also on their family and friends.Christine B.’s Head of HouseholdAudio Description Low Resolution Video
When Christine lost her teeth and jaw to oral cancer after years of smoking cigarettes, her teenage children had to step up and take on adult responsibilities. In this video, Christine speaks about how her tobacco addiction robbed her kids of their childhood.On This Page
			Christine B.'s VideosChristine B.'s BiographyMore About Christine B.Additional ResourcesMore Related Stories
		
Free Quitting ResourcesTelephone
1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
1-800-838-8917 (中文)
1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)Smartphone Apps/Text
Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
quitSTART appexternal iconWeb
Quit Smoking (En Español)
Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal iconChristine B.: Oral Cancer EffectsAudio Description Low Resolution Video
Christine began smoking cigarettes in high school to fit in. She became addicted and continued to smoke menthol cigarettes for many years. At 44, she was diagnosed with oral cancer. She lost her teeth due to radiation treatments and had to have half of her jaw removed after the cancer came back twice. In this commercial, Christine talks about how oral cancer treatments and reconstructive surgery have affected her appearance.Christine B.: SmokerAudio Description Low Resolution Video
Christine started smoking cigarettes in high school to fit in, but she never thought she smoked enough to be a “real smoker.” She was diagnosed with oral cancer at age 44, and lost her teeth and half of her jaw due to cancer. Christine says if you think this could never happen to you, think again: “If you smoke, you’re a smoker.”Christine B.: I Have to QuitAudio Description Low Resolution Video
Christine started smoking in high school to fit in and continued to smoke menthol cigarettes for many years. She was diagnosed with oral cancer in her early 40s. She lost her teeth and had half of her jaw removed. In this video, Christine talks about the moment when she finally realized the effects of smoking—year after year and cigarette after cigarette—and decided to quit.Christine B.: Time They’ll Never Get BackAudio Description Low Resolution Video
In this video, Christine talks about how her smoking affected her children, particularly her 17-year-old son. While she was going through treatment, she says her son had to become head of the household instead of getting to be a kid.Christine B.: Happy MemoriesAudio Description Low Resolution Video
In this video, Christine talks about the things she did before her oral cancer surgery to make sure her children would have a happy life if she died. She wrote letters filled with life lessons, spent quality time with them to create happy memories, and held a big party filled with supportive friends who could be there to help her children in the event of her death.Persons with disabilities experiencing problems accessing these videos should contact CDC-INFO at CDC-INFO email form: https://www.cdc.gov/info, 800-232-4636 or the TTY number at (888) 232-6348 and ask for a 508 Accommodation PR#9342. If emailing please type “508 Accommodation PR#9342” without quotes in the subject line of the email. Please include the URL of the site in the Subject line of your email request that you would like to access.
View more *Tips*videos sorted by name, disease and specific groups
View the *Tips*YouTube video playlistTop of PageChristine B.’s Biography
During high school, smoking was what all the “cool” kids were doing (or so Christine thought), and she wanted to fit in, so she began smoking cigarettes at age 16. She became addicted and continued smoking menthol cigarettes for 28 years.
Christine
In 2007, at age 44, her life would change forever. After spotting a growth inside her cheek, which she thought was a canker sore, Christine went to see her family doctor. Her doctor sent her to an oral surgeon, who did a biopsy of the sore, and it revealed oral cancer. That’s when she quit smoking for good.
After 35 radiation treatments and chemotherapy, Christine seemed to be cured. But the cancer returned in 2008; this time surgery was her only option. Her third bout with oral cancer in 2009 was even more serious. She learned it had spread to her jawbone, classifying it as stage IV.
The numerous radiation treatments had already cost Christine her teeth and had extensively damaged her mouth. During a 10-hour surgery, the doctors had to remove half of her jaw. “I’m missing a quarter of my face. People stare at me all the time,” she says. That doesn’t stop Christine from being in the public eye and serving as a role model for quitting smoking or never starting.
At age 55, Christine spends her time offering support for the Oral Cancer Foundation, where she’s a board administrator and volunteer patient advocate. She also gives speeches about oral cancer and the dangers of smoking. “Tobacco is not cool, not cool at all! It almost cost me my life,” says Christine. “Even though the surgery and cancer treatments were hard, I’m thankful for them. They gave me the chance to keep living and keep building happy memories with my children.”
Through the *Tips From Former Smokers*® campaign, Christine hopes kids will learn that there are so many other things to spend their time and money on.
Top of Page
More About Christine B.Christine’s Tip: SmokerPrint AdChristine B.’s Tip: Smoker [PDF – 739KB]Christine's Tips: Oral CancerPrint AdChristine B.'s Tips: Oral Cancer [PDF – 5MB]Sharon and Christine’s Tip: Friends Print AdPrint AdSharon A. and Christine B.’s Tip: Friends [PDF – 5MB]Top of PageAdditional Resourceswoman by windowCancerGet the Factsmenthol cigarettesMenthol CigarettesGet the FactsTop of PageMore Related Stories
More Real Stories about cancer:AnnetteMeet Annette S.BrianMeet Brian H.Elizabeth B.Meet Elizabeth B.JuliaMeet Julia C.Mark A.Meet Mark A.Rose H.Meet Rose H.Shane T.Meet Shane T.Sharon A.Meet Sharon A.Shawn W.Meet Shawn W.TerrieMeet Terrie H.See all *Tips*Participant StoriesTop of Page
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  July 19, 2023						Source: 	Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate home*Tips From Former Smokers* ®
About the Campaignplus icon
Frequently Asked Questions
*Tips* Impact and Resultsplus icon
Publications and Evaluation Results
Burden of Cigarette Use in the U.S.
How to Quit Smokingplus icon
5 Ways Quitlines Helpplus icon
Top 10 Qs about Quitlines
National Texting Portal
quitSTART App
7 Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Tips For Quitting
Learn About Quit Smoking Medicinesplus icon
Three Reasons to Use Medicines When You Quitplus icon
They make quitting less painful
Quit smoking medicines are much safer than smoking
They help you get through the toughest times
How Quit Smoking Medicines Work
Quit Smoking Medicinesplus icon
Nicotine Patch
Nicotine Lozenge
Nicotine Gum
Nicotine Oral Inhaler
Nicotine Nasal Spray
Combining Medicines
Varenicline
Bupropion SR
Getting Coaching with Medicine
Quitting without Medicine
Five New Ways to Quit with Medicines
Six Quick Tipsplus icon
Medicine Tips Just for You
Why Quitting Smoking Is Hard
Quitting Storiesplus icon
Betty’s Story
Daniel’s Story
Select-Lot Varenicline Recall
Real Stories
Diseases/Conditions Featured in the Campaignplus icon
Asthma
Buerger’s Disease
Cancer
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Diabetes
Dual Use of Tobacco Products
Gum (Periodontal) Disease
Smoking and Heart Disease, Stroke and Peripheral Artery Disease
HIV
Mental Health Conditions: Depression and Anxiety
Pregnancy
Vision Loss and Blindness
For Specific Groupsplus icon
All Groups (General Public)
People With Disabilities
African American People
American Indian and Alaska Native People
Asian American People
Caregivers
Hispanic and Latino People
People Living with HIV
LGBTQ+ People
Military Service Members and Veterans
People With Mental Health Conditions
Pregnant or Planning to Have a Baby
Partnersplus icon
Faith-Based Organizations
Organizations Serving Military Members and Veteransplus icon
Media Outreach Toolkit
Organizations Serving Public Housing Residents
Campaign Resourcesplus icon
Social Media Content
Videos
Feature
Images and Photos
Print Ads
Motivational Cards
Newsroomplus icon
Matte Articlesplus icon
*Tips* Campaign for the General Public
*Tips* Campaign for African American Communities
*Tips* Campaign for American Indian / Alaska Native Communities
*Tips* Campaign for Asian American Communities
*Tips* Campaign for Faith Communities
*Tips* Campaign for Hispanic/Latino Communities
*Tips* Campaign for LGBTQ+ Community
*Tips* Campaign for People With Mental Health Conditions
*Tips* Campaign for Military Members/Veterans To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address                        
What's this                                     
Submit
 Smoking & Tobacco Use
Smokefree.govexternal icon
National Cancer Instituteexternal icon


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue