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*Tips From Former Smokers* ®


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2024 Tips From Former Smokers Campaign LaunchPeople Featured in the 2024 *Tips From Former Smokers*® Campaign Share Experiences with Menthol Cigarettes, Health Harms, and Quitting Journeys						Español (Spanish)							Print
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										Angie P. started smoking menthol cigarettes at age 15. She explains in a new *Tips From Former Smokers*®*(Tips*®*)* TV ad that as a gay teen, trying to figure out who she was, she hid behind smoking. She continued to smoke for another 25 years, and this affected her career as a singer. Over time, she also became aware of tobacco companies’aggressive marketing of cigarettes, including menthols.
“My hope is to help other people, especially LGBTQ+ people, understand what the tobacco companies are trying to do with their advertising. I’d tell them it’s not worth it to smoke,” Angie said. “Their lives and their health are worth more.”
Starting February 5, Angie and six other people will share their quit-smoking stories in the *Tips* campaign. The campaign will air new ads to inspire people who smoke to quit and promote free resources to help them if they need it.On This Page
			Real People, Real StoriesMenthol Cigarettes and The Impact of MarketingYou Can Quit. The Tips Campaign Can Help
		
Angie P.: Love Yourself Tip
Audio Description Low Resolution VideoReal People, Real StoriesTips From Former Smokers participants: John B., Angie P, Ethan B., Tammy W., Noel S., Elizabeth and Stephen B.
The *Tips* campaign features more than 45 real people impacted by the serious long-term health effects from smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. *Tips*also shares stories from loved ones. They describe how taking care of someone living with a smoking-related condition has affected their own lives and health.
The new people featured in the *Tips* campaign include:
Angie P. smoked to fit in when she felt that people close to her would not accept her because she is gay. She wants to encourage other LGBTQ+ people who smoke to love themselves and get the help they need to quit.
Elizabeth B. started smoking menthol cigarettes at age 18. Years later, she had trouble walking because of smoking-related peripheral artery disease (PAD). She later developed kidney cancer. Her husband Stephen helps take care of her.
Ethan B. grew up seeing ads that made him think smoking menthol cigarettes was “cool.” As an adult, he had two smoking-related strokes which affected his memory.
John B. tried many strategies to try to quit smoking, but nothing seemed to work. He kept trying and finally succeeded when, with the help of his doctor, he found the methods that worked best for him. Those methods were counseling and using two FDA-approved quit-smoking medicines.
Noel S. smoked two packs a day for more than 20 years. He suffered a smoking-related heart attack at 36 years old. Noel quit smoking menthol cigarettes so he could be around to watch younger family members grow up.
Tammy W. thought that menthol cigarettes were less harmful than non-menthol cigarettes. She also thought she would avoid health harms if she continued eating healthy foods, exercising at the gym, and running every day. Tammy realized menthol cigarettes are just as dangerous as regular cigarettes when she discovered she had severe heart disease and had to have emergency open-heart surgery.Menthol Cigarettes and The Impact of MarketingMenthol cigarettes can make it harder to quit smoking.
Several of the new ads focus on menthol cigarettes. Menthol is an ingredient added to many tobacco products. It creates a cooling sensation in the throat and airways, which makes smoking feel less harsh. Menthol in cigarettes can make them more appealing to young people and people who have never used tobacco products. Menthol also enhances the effects of nicotine on the brain and can make tobacco products even more addictive. Menthol in cigarettes can make it more difficult to quit smoking.
In 2021, menthol cigarette sales made up 37% of all U.S. cigarette sales. Menthol cigarettes contribute to tobacco-related health disparities in the United States.
Over the years, tobacco companies have used tailored advertising to market to many communities, including:
African American Adults: In the 1950s, less than 10% of African American adults who smoked used menthol cigarettes. That percentage has risen to 85%, compared to 39% of the general population that smokes. The tobacco industry has used several tactics to market menthol cigarettes to African American communities. For example, tobacco companies have placed ads in Black-owned publications and in neighborhoods with more Black residents.
LGBTQ+ Communities: The tobacco industry has targeted the LGBTQ+ community for decades. Tobacco companies have sponsored events and offered bar promotions, giveaways, and advertisements that target LGBTQ+ people. More than 36% of LGBTQ+ adults who smoke use menthol cigarettes.
Women: Tobacco companies designed menthol cigarette packaging and ads in ways that appeal to women. Women who smoke are more likely to use menthol cigarettes than men who smoke.
Youth and Young Adults: Tobacco companies have targeted marketing to youth through advertisements, in-store signage, and sponsorships of community music events. Flavored tobacco products, including menthol flavors, appeal to youth. Menthol in cigarettes makes it more likely that youth and young adults will try smoking. Menthol in cigarettes also makes it more likely that youth who start smoking menthols will continue to smoke on a regular basis.You Can Quit. The *Tips* Campaign Can HelpQuitting smoking is the single best way you can protect yourself and your family members, coworkers, friends, and others from the health risks of smoking and secondhand smoke exposure. The people featured in the *Tips* campaign can inspire you and help you on your quitting journey!
The *Tips*website has free resources to help you quit and keep you motivated. Below are several free resources to help you in your quit journey. Quitting smoking can be hard, but it is possible! Keep trying until you find quitting supports that work best for you.
Join the millions of Americans the *Tips* campaign has inspired to quit smoking. Make 2024 the year you quit for good!Top of PageFree 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 iconFree Quitting ResourcesWeb
Quit Smoking (En Español)
Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)Smartphone Apps/Text
Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
quitSTART appexternal icon—tips, information, and challenges to help you quitTelephone
1-800-QUIT-NOW
1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon
1-800-838-8917 (中文)
1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)
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 icon
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  February 5, 2024						Source: 	Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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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
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