4000 deaths a year
Amanda's story
Amanda started smoking in fifth grade, and by age 13, she smoked every day. Over time, smoking crept into every corner of her life. She was so addicted that she ducked outside to smoke throughout the day, even during Wisconsin's bitter cold winters.
While in college, newly engaged—and still smoking a pack a day—Amanda learned she was pregnant. She tried to quit, but juggling work and classes was stressful. She thought cigarettes helped deal with stress. She soon learned that smoking only made things worse. Her baby was born 2 months early, which is a danger for all pregnant women who smoke. The tiny baby girl spent weeks in a hospital incubator. "I knew that smoking was bad... I didn't think I would have a premature baby," said Amanda. "I couldn't hold her much in those first weeks. It's time I'll never get back. Smoking took that from me."
Terrie's story
In high school, Terrie was a pretty cheerleader who competed on the cheer circuit. Her father smoked, and with more and more of her friends smoking, Terrie soon found herself lighting up in social settings. Eventually she was smoking up to two packs a day.
In 2001, at the age of 40, Terrie was diagnosed with oral cancer, and later that same year, with throat cancer. Doctors informed her that they would need to remove her larynx. It was then that she quit smoking for good. Terrie spoke with the aid of an artificial voice box that was inserted in her throat. She continued to battle cancer with a strong, positive spirit. Terrie died September 16, 2013 from smoking-related cancer. She was 53.
Brett's story
Brett lives in New Mexico and started smoking at age 16 to impress a girl. He kept it up for 30 years, smoking about a pack a day. By his mid-30s, Brett had gum disease—a danger for all smokers. Because of his gum disease, the tissues and bones holding Brett's teeth in place were breaking down. During each visit, his dentist asked, "Are you still smoking?"
By age 42, Brett had lost most of his teeth, including 16 during one surgery. With his mouth still swollen, Brett continued to smoke. "There I would be, standing outside having a cigarette," he said. "I was still completely addicted and in denial."
Brett has now been smokefree for 4 years. "Life is so much better without smoking," he says. "You're not constantly thinking about your next cigarette."
Amanda's story
Amanda started smoking in fifth grade, and by age 13, she smoked every day. Over time, smoking crept into every corner of her life. She was so addicted that she ducked outside to smoke throughout the day, even during Wisconsin's bitter cold winters.
While in college, newly engaged—and still smoking a pack a day—Amanda learned she was pregnant. She tried to quit, but juggling work and classes was stressful. She thought cigarettes helped deal with stress. She soon learned that smoking only made things worse. Her baby was born 2 months early, which is a danger for all pregnant women who smoke. The tiny baby girl spent weeks in a hospital incubator. "I knew that smoking was bad... I didn't think I would have a premature baby," said Amanda. "I couldn't hold her much in those first weeks. It's time I'll never get back. Smoking took that from me."
Terrie's story
In high school, Terrie was a pretty cheerleader who competed on the cheer circuit. Her father smoked, and with more and more of her friends smoking, Terrie soon found herself lighting up in social settings. Eventually she was smoking up to two packs a day.
In 2001, at the age of 40, Terrie was diagnosed with oral cancer, and later that same year, with throat cancer. Doctors informed her that they would need to remove her larynx. It was then that she quit smoking for good. Terrie spoke with the aid of an artificial voice box that was inserted in her throat. She continued to battle cancer with a strong, positive spirit. Terrie died September 16, 2013 from smoking-related cancer. She was 53.
Brett's story
Brett lives in New Mexico and started smoking at age 16 to impress a girl. He kept it up for 30 years, smoking about a pack a day. By his mid-30s, Brett had gum disease—a danger for all smokers. Because of his gum disease, the tissues and bones holding Brett's teeth in place were breaking down. During each visit, his dentist asked, "Are you still smoking?"
By age 42, Brett had lost most of his teeth, including 16 during one surgery. With his mouth still swollen, Brett continued to smoke. "There I would be, standing outside having a cigarette," he said. "I was still completely addicted and in denial."
Brett has now been smokefree for 4 years. "Life is so much better without smoking," he says. "You're not constantly thinking about your next cigarette."