CDC: Tips From Former Smokers - Terrie H.: Teenager Ad

Terrie started smoking in high school to look cool. Soon, cigarettes became her constant companion. At age 40, Terrie learned that she had cancer from smoking, which sent her down a new, much harder path in life. Shortly before her death, Terrie filmed this TV commercial for CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign. She talked about her own teen years and the heartache she later felt when she saw teenagers smoking.

[virtualsirens]

See, now this is the type of ads that we need to be showing to teens, not the stupid meme crap we see now.

[alennaabavlos]

When I saw this in TV it scared the crap out of me and I could not sleep

[JamesJimmaHarding]

That's so sad, she was very pretty in her younger years and it hurts to see her reduced to that before she died :(

[nv]

After I quit a year ago I began seeing this commercial on TV, and any cravings I had are permanently gone. Thank you.

[jajohnson]

I quit last weekend. I have no regrets.

[ottosonetto]

day 49 now! im 35 years old and this time i made it. Make up ur mind and just go for it. sure some bad days in the beginning, but so worth it- free after 15 years cheers guys.

[watchensee]

Rest in peace Terrie. You did your very best to try to teach others from your mistake. :(

[VNVNation]

Terrie, you did not die in vain. While I'd seen these "Tips From Former Smokers" commercials for several years (I'd in fact seen your first commercial years ago), this very commercial planted a seed in my head a year ago. I finally decided that the potential devastating impact of smoking wasn't worth it. I quit in March 2016, and have not looked back. So thank you. Thank you for for allowing the cameras to roll during the most unfortunate circumstances of your death from smoking. Thank you for showing everyone the BRUTAL TRUTH of what smoking can do to you. I wouldn't have quit with a simple lecture. But seeing and hearing it from you forced me to quit denying reality. Thank you again.

[missagente]

She was absolutely gorgeous before she decided to smoke. :(

[daftrash]

Rest easy, Terrie. We all loved you so much.

[redjackal]

Terrie rest in peace. 😞 I'll never smoke ( my friends would lecture me of I do ) Thank you for teaching us.

[USMCLP]

Watched this with headphones on. Her narration sent chills down my spine.

[Juxhn]

This ad on tv scared me straight. It was like a short nasty film

[valkyrie]

my condolences go out to her and her family. this is definitely the most moving commercial i have ever seen

[marilynmonroe]

Wow.  What a brave woman for sharing this.  Hopefully it will save lives. So sad :(

[amandasmith]

Its so sad when your a teen you start smoking you think youre invincible. You think you have all the time in the world to quit. Look at her past and present so much promise in the beginning. I started when i was 17 i just got serious this year about quitting. I did it relapsed twice had 2 cigs one day then only one cig the other i am determined to stay quit i will be two weeks smoke free in 3 days please quit smoking and if you never started do not start !

[redjackal]

When I first saw this I screamed. 😨 Worse night ever. I'm too good looking for smoking.

[wisheduknew]

God rest her soul! Nobody deserves to go through that! I hope her life & death saved someone else's! RIP Terrie!!

[nathanjohnson]

I'm so sorry, Terrie, for all the pain and suffering you went through here on earth. I'm very confident you've found peace and have no more pain and suffering. Thanks for being such a strong advocate against smoking. My mom smoked from the time she was 11 until a few months before she died of Lung cancer at age 67. I'm so glad I never started. RIP, Ms. Terrie.

[emojewlips]

This is the saddest commercial I've ever seen, This is also the commercial that has helped me stay away from cigarettes now that I've quit recently.