Real Stories

Meet Amanda B. Amanda, age 30, lives in Wisconsin and began smoking in 5th grade. She smoked during pregnancy, and her baby was born 2 months early. Her tiny girl spent weeks in an incubator.

Meet Andy A. Andy, age 55, lives in Texas and started smoking cigarettes at age 15 to fit in with friends. After decades of smoking, Andy was diagnosed with smoking-related throat cancer. He needed three surgeries to remove the cancer, using muscle and skin from his legs to rebuild his throat. His wife, Debra B., has become his primary caregiver.

Meet Angie P. Angie, age 62, lives in Ohio and began smoking menthol cigarettes at age 15. She smoked because she thought it would help her to cope with the fear that people around her would not accept that she is gay.

Meet Anne G. Anne, age 36, grew up in Hawaii and started smoking at age 15. Quitting smoking inspired Anne to improve her life in many ways, including eating healthier and exercising. She is committed to giving her daughter the smokefree childhood she never had.

Meet Annette S. Annette, age 57, lives in New York and began smoking in her teens. At age 52, she was diagnosed with lung cancer, which required removal of one of her lungs. She was later diagnosed with oral cancer.

Meet Beatrice R. Beatrice, age 40, lives in New York and formerly served in the U.S. Navy. She began smoking regularly at age 13. A mother of two, Beatrice quit smoking in 2010 because she wanted to be around for her family.

Meet Becky H. Becky lived in Ohio and started smoking as a teenager. She continued to smoke until she quit for good at age 52. Becky died at age 62 from COPD.

Meet Bill B. Bill lived in Michigan and had diabetes. He started smoking at age 15 and quit at age 39, after his leg was amputated due to poor circulation—made worse from smoking. Bill died from heart disease at age 42.

Meet Brandon C. Brandon, age 31, lives in North Dakota and began smoking at age 15. At 18, he was diagnosed with Buerger’s disease, which resulted in the amputation of both his legs and several fingertips.

Meet Brett P. Brett, age 49, lives in New Mexico and started smoking cigarettes as a teenager. He had gum disease by his mid-30s but didn’t quit smoking until after most of his teeth were removed.

Meet Brian H. Brian lived in Texas and started smoking at age 8. He had a heart attack at age 35, was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and had bypass surgery, a heart transplant, lung cancer, and part of his lung removed due to smoking. Brian died at age 68 after suffering from smoking-related health problems for more than 30 years.

Meet Brian I. Brian, age 45, lives in California and has HIV. At age 14, he started smoking. At age 43, smoking, combined with HIV, caused him to have a stroke. He quit that day and hopes to regain full use of his right hand.

Meet Christine B. Christine, age 49, lives in Pennsylvania and began smoking at age 16. At age 44, she was diagnosed with oral cancer, which eventually required doctors to remove half of her jaw.

Meet Dana S. Dana, age 38, lives in North Carolina and began smoking as a young teenager. She helped care for her mother, Tips participant Terrie H., through Terrie’s battle with smoking-related cancer.

Meet Debra B. Debra lives in Texas with her husband, Andy A. They have been together for more than 17 years. After decades of smoking, Andy was diagnosed with smoking-related throat cancer. Debra became Andy’s primary caregiver. Debra supported him through radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and multiple surgeries.

Meet Denise H. Denise, age 66, lives in Texas. She never smoked, but her husband, Tips participant Brian H., smoked for years. She took care of him through his smoking-related heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer diagnosis and treatments. Brian died at age 68 after suffering from smoking-related health problems for more than 30 years.