WASHINGTON, July 31, 2018 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “If you smoke, quitting is the single best thing you can do for your health and for your loved ones,” said Jane L. Delgado, Ph.D., M.S., President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance). “The Tips Campaign offers advice from former smokers and free support from 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-855-DÉJELO-YA) to help motivate smokers to quit, and prevent others from ever starting,” added Dr. Delgado.
The 2018 Tips from Former Smokers (Tips) Campaign’s 15 and 30-second ads are airing nationally on television, online, and in print advertisements through October 2018 to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking and offer tips on how to quit. Markets that have higher rates of cigarette smoking will have additional airings and advertisements for increased awareness. The ads feature former smokers and their stories that highlight serious smoking-related health conditions associated with cigarette use, promote the benefits of quitting for loved ones, and encourage smokers to call 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-855-DÉJELO-YA) for free cessation support.
The 2018 Tips ads feature Brian, 63, an Air Force veteran, who had his first heart attack at age 35 while on assignment overseas. He quit smoking in 2009 and received a heart transplant in July 2012. In January 2017, Brian was diagnosed with lung cancer and had part of his lung removed; Christine, 55, who began smoking at age 16 and was diagnosed at age 44 with oral cancer, which eventually required doctors to remove half of her jaw; Sharon, 58, who began smoking at age 13 and at age 37 was diagnosed with stage IV throat cancer; and, Tiffany, age 40, who started smoking at 19, even though her mother died of lung cancer due to smoking. Tiffany quit smoking in 2011 because she wanted to be around to support her own teenage daughter.
The Alliance is promoting the 2018 Tips Campaign through its Nuestras Voces (Our Voices) Network, spearheaded by 11 regional partners around the country, which works to reduce tobacco use and cancer incidence in Hispanic communities. Activities to support these efforts include providing training on evidence-based tobacco and cancer initiatives, connecting individuals to cessation support, and conducting bilingual national media activities and social media outreach.
According to Dr. Delgado, “With tobacco companies set to spend over $9.1 billion in 2018 to addict new customers on their poisonous products, the Tips Campaign is a critical tool to make sure our communities know the real costs of this dangerous habit and how to get the help they need to quit.” For more information on the Tips Campaign, visit https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/index.html or call the Alliance’s Su Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-2645 for information on quitting smoking, talking to a loved one about smoking, or connecting to health services in local communities.
About the Nuestras Voces Network. Nuestras Voces is a national network of over 300 members working for a tobacco-free world and to eliminate disparities in cancer prevention and treatment services. You can be part of this effort led by the National Alliance for Hispanic Health! Join us at www.nuestrasvoces.org/join
About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health. The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States with a mission to achieve the best health for all. For more information visit us www.healthyamericas.org.
SOURCE National Alliance for Hispanic Health
