CDC: Tips From Former Smokers - Christine B.: I Have to Quit

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.

Comments on this video are allowed in accordance with our comment policy:

This video can also be viewed at

[dan-pipn]

Instead of showing videos of fake lungs to school children, videos like this should be shown, because the younger generation cares about looks and seeing that that would happen if they smoked would terrify them

[Recoil]

Smoked for 14 years, starting at 16 years old. I quit 4 & 1/2 years ago and never looked back. It can be done, and the *ONLY* way is 100% cold turkey and having the nerve NOT TO BUY ANYMORE.

[dropout]

Guys it has been 4days I haven't smoked

[chevyrupleix]

I'm an asthmatic, I tried smoking once during an occasion. I was very drunk at that time, all I felt was a spicy feeling in my chest and left me a minty expression on my throat. Three days passed and I was rushed to the hospital, transported by an ambulance because I was already lacking oxygen, high fever of 40.3C, and a chest full of phlegm.


What I learned that day was:
I can have several memorable experiences, but don't do stupid decisions.

[garrett]

Quit date for me was January 2018. Stopped cold turkey and smoke free since then. I feel better than ever! Best decision I ever made. It was hard but not impossible.

[ducksaysmeow]

I was walking with my friend who smoke:

Me: dude you should quit smoking
Him: i tried..but its not as easy as it looks like.
Me: my cousin did...
Him: really? How?
Me: ... _he died_

[pantegohummus]

My mom passed away from lung cancer in 2014 when she was only 53 years old. I was 21. I'm never going to have her watch me get married or have children of my own. That is very sad.

[bannaanlana]

"I really hope you mean it"
one of the only phrases that would ever make me instantly cry

[scarletdementia]

Why is cigs legal and other drugs in fact SOME illegal drugs have less side affects than cigs

[bluelady]

Given up smoking now 9 months after 40 yrs!!! More money in my pocket and I smell nicer too!!! And a lot more

[danielletripkoff]

My brother smoked way too much. And he never had the willpower to quit smoking. He smoked till the day he passed away!! And he was barely 60 years old!!! He died in his sleep of emphysema and cardiovascular disease!!!☹

[carinmiller]

This commercial changed my life, I smoked for 35years I am now 17 days without a cigarette

[isabellaoliveira]

You never habe to worry about quitting if you don't ever start.

[ceasormayhem]

I've been smoking on and off since 15, it's been 8 years. Lemme tell ya, the psychological dependency is horrible. It heightens your stress levels and then when you don't have it, it makes it worse. So glad I was able to quit.

[devolinski]

After smoking from age 16 to 62 I finally kicked the bad habit.

[chucky]

Advice if you want to smoke: *DON'T*

[intru]

To all the people that are saying if you want to smoke then just don't:
If you're feeling depressed then just be happy.

[sloppyjoesimmy]

my mother have be smoking since before i was born im 32 and she finally stopped she has very bad copd and now is bound to home cause she's too embarrassed to go out lugging around the oxygen tanks. IT WILL BE A YEAR SMOKE FREE ON HER 57TH BIRTHDAY OCTOBER 10TH!!!! IM SO PROUD OF YOU EMMA EPPERSON!!

[lifeasthekingg]

Anybody else think this is a better anti smoking ad then those TRUTH ads

[desireevictoria]

My grandpa had lung cancer after smoking for about 60 years he started in his early teens. Luckily they cut off the cancer (quarter size of his lung) but he has so much trouble breathing still. I'm just so happy he is alive and no longer a smoker!