CDC hopes to inspire menthol cigarettes smokers to quit

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For more than a decade the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has aggressively used a campaign to inspire smokers to quit.

Researchers said it’s working. The “‘Tips from Former Smokers’ campaign really saves lives,” said scientist Kristy Marynak with CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health.

“Since the campaign was on air beginning in 2012, we’ve helped at least a million people quit smoking for good and more than 16 million make an attempt to quit smoking,” she said.

The campaign features personal stories from former smokers like Angie P.

“I’ve been singing since I was three. I sang in gospel choirs in rhythm and blues bands and even had a short stint in Vegas. I adored singing and cigarette smoking took that away from me.”

This year, the ads will focus on helping smokers quit menthol cigarettes.

“We know about 35% of all cigarettes sold in this country are menthol cigarettes,” said Marynak. “Menthol is an ingredient that has cooling and numbing properties. So it makes it easier to start smoking and more difficult to quit.”

For decades, Angie said she struggled to stop smoking menthol cigarettes.

“I started smoking menthol cigarettes at the age of 15, as a gay teen trying to figure out who I was. And then when I figured out who I was, then it was hard for me to quit.”

Advocates argue the tobacco industry specifically targets people like Angie with menthol ads.

“Black Americans, LGBTQIA-plus community members and others. Those groups disproportionately use menthol cigarettes.”

“Realizing this made me angry enough to quit,” said Angie. “It was difficult to stop but it was doable.”

She’s hoping to return to her love of singing and hopes to inspire others with her story.

“My tip is to love yourself and get the help you need to stop smoking,” Angie said.

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