The quit‑smoking ads that helped millions are ending. A former smoker and experts fear what comes next.

3 1 minute read

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Tips From Former Smokers” ads have been a powerful tool in the fight against smoking for the past 13 years. These ads, which featured real stories about the harmful effects of smoking, led to a significant increase in calls to the quitline and inspired many people to quit smoking. One such success story is Leslie Allison-Seei, who credits the campaign with saving her life.

2025 Tips From Former Smokers ad campaign.
CDC

After experiencing severe health issues due to smoking, Leslie decided to quit for good. With the help of the quitline coach, Lori, Leslie was able to overcome her addiction and has been smoke-free for over a decade.

Research has shown that the “Tips” campaign has been highly effective in encouraging people to quit smoking. The campaign has led to millions of quit attempts and over a million long-term quits. It has also resulted in significant savings in healthcare costs due to a decrease in smoking-related illnesses.

The “Tips From Former Smokers” campaign led to increases in the number of people looking for resources, including more calls to 1-800-QUIT-NOW and more visits to the campaign website, researchers found.
RTI International

However, the future of the campaign is uncertain as the current administration has made changes to the CDC, leading to budget cuts and the potential end of the “Tips” ads. Public health advocates warn that discontinuing the campaign could have dire consequences, costing lives and millions of dollars in healthcare expenses.

Despite the challenges, Leslie remains hopeful that others will have the same opportunity she did to quit smoking and improve their health. She urges anyone struggling with smoking addiction to call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free help and support.

The fight against smoking continues, and it is crucial to provide resources and support to those looking to quit. The impact of the “Tips From Former Smokers” campaign serves as a reminder of the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of smoking and offering assistance to those in need.

If you or someone you know is ready to quit smoking, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. The first step towards a smoke-free life is just a phone call away.