CDC: Tips From Former Smokers - Terrie H.: “Terrie, What Are You Doing?”

Terrie smoked her first cigarette at 13. In 2000, she found a sore in her mouth that was diagnosed as oral cancer. Later she found out she had throat cancer. In this video from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Terrie talks about getting home from the hospital after having surgery and her first realization that she had to quit smoking. She picked up a cigarette, put it in her mouth, and "for the first time, I looked at myself in the mirror, and I thought, 'Terrie, what are you doing?'"


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[mppm]

The moment when Terrie looked like she was going to break into tears because of shame, regret, sadness etc. broke my heart all too much. Rest in peace Terrie. You didn't know what you were getting yourself into.

[chasvang]

I tried cigarette a couple of time and it was so bitter and nasty. I don't how people be getting addicted to it. I'm addicted to eating chips

[missyfford]

I’m 11 years old and my mother smokes. Not as much as this lady, she only smokes when she has a drink so once a week, (1 pack a week) and after showing her this video, she vowed to never smoke again.

1 year later, she hasn’t smoked at all.
Thank you Terri❤️

[Bongobrian]

I smoked for 23 years. This is my first and final quit attempt... I am now entering my third clean week. My internal smoke gremlin is nearly dead and I am enjoying killing it. :0)

[johnsmith-jhsz]

Poor Terrie. Her grandchildren were terrified of her. Rest In Peace and thank you for being brave enough to show yourself to help many people's lifes. You live in our hearts.

[TyJaiGuruDevaOm]

I started smoking a year ago.. ok well I guess I'll stop now. 

[GuitarMonster]

R.I.P. Terrie ;( She was such an amazing and inspiring lady. I'll never even think of touching a cigarette in my life.

[bigbadjoker]

My mom is a nurse in a Novant hospital and she saw this lady. She died in there.

[yana]

my dad died of cigarettes he wouldn't quit even after the doctor told him his heart was working at 8%

[kaydeebee]

Terrie passed away today. She fought as long and as hard as she could. I know her message got through to people. She was a very brave person.

[ijustgottahotdog]

Thank god I quit smoking when I had the chance!

[dougbalt]

Terrie didn't die for nothing. Please listen to her advice.

[yenfr]

I had a bf who smoked. He was the sweetest guy ever minus the smoking. I've never thought that dating someone who smokes would be a big deal, I never smoked in my entire life always hated the smell of it. I was getting upset and tired of the smoke clinging to my hair, and clothes my skin began to look horrible. I was even beginning to have sharp pains in my chest. it seemed like it was everyday that my eyes and nostrils felt like they were burning. I still put up with it for years until I began to try and convince him to stop, but that was because he began to breath harder than usual. We even had a big scare because the doctor told him he needs to get checked for cancer due to symptoms he was showing. I got very scared and I was crying nothing I told him helped. The good thing is that he was OK and had no cancer, but it didn't mean he was healthy it was practically every day I was worried about his health. while still putting up with my eyes and nostrils burning everyday it was not a good feeling. I felt horrible everyday and having to wakeup and see if he was OK because he would keep complaining how his mouth hurt so much where there were times he wouldn't even eat. He still did not want to let go of those cigarettes. After thinking and more thinking I decided to make the decision to leave him. I loved him, but I guess he loved those cigarettes more than anything else. He would get mad at me telling me that I thought I was better than him because of the smoking, but I don't understand how that made me stuck up when I was there Infront of him crying to him that I was worried about his health and I didn't want to see him hurting like that. Eventually I got tired of everything the crying that horrible feeling of feeling bad all the time because my eyes and nose felt like they burned. the sharp chest pains I use to have. the horrible smell clinging to my clothes. Plus trying to be there for him when he was in pain, but did nothing but keep on smoking without wanting to stop. If there are any of you who are non smokers thinking oh what's the big deal if he or she smokes. Don't waste your time and if you decide to give them a chance prepare for the stress, the crying, the bills for dentist and doctors, and if you end up being sensitive to the smoke like I am the burning of eyes and nose, the nasty smell sticking to clothes and hair and your skin feeling really dry and just unhealthy. You will feel horrible on the outside and inside and be emotionally stressed, worried, angry. I hate those cigarettes so much.

[solarpits]

This is why I will absolutely NOT smoke

[Als.jo]

I used to smoke almost 30 cigarettes a day and now I'm down to 10 cigarettes each day wish me luck

[mandymoore]

This lovely woman could have had a close to normal life if it wasn't for the addiction. I feel bad, but I know that she realized her mistake, even if it was a little too late. I've never smoked, and I never will. She will be in my prayers and I hope she will live the rest of her life as healthy as possible.

[danmooney]

"Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world I know because I've done it thousands of times"-Mark Twain. He wasn't kidding I picked up smoking about 3 years ago and I've realized it becomes the hardest to quit when you rely on it as a stress mechanism. RIP Terrie

[snapplemaster]

Not going to cry 😓
Not going to cry😢
Not going to 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Am crying

[monaghanfanpage]

i tried my first cigarette when i was 12 and i didnt like it at all, i would only take a drag or two and it still was gross, im happy i havent ever smoked enough to get addicted

[edenmantoufeh]

I am 11 years of age and this is all I'm saying. I am never going to place a cigarette or any type of cigar into my mouth ever in my entire life. None of my parents smoke so I've been influenced not to, lucky me.