WASHINGTON, April 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “Cigarette smoking is the single largest cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Just imagine if those who smoked quit or never started in the first place and no more families had to see a loved one suffer or die from smoking related disease and illness,” said Jane L. Delgado, Ph.D., M.S., President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance), the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group.
The Tips from Former Smokers (Tips) campaign ads feature real people like Beatrice who was inspired to quit smoking for her son; Mariano who quit smoking after having open heart surgery due to his two pack-a-day habit; Felicita who quit after losing her teeth from 33 years of smoking; and, Rose who recently lost her battle with lung cancer after a lifetime of smoking. “Each real story from the Tips campaign represents the 16 million Americans suffering from similar illnesses caused by smoking and motivates smokers to quit and others to not start,” emphasized Dr. Delgado.
The 2016 Spanish and English language Tips ads are airing nationwide on TV and radio through mid-June to bring attention to the risks of smoking and offer advice on how to quit. The ads feature former smokers who describe the health consequences they have suffered from smoking, motivate others to quit, and promote free cessation support through 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-855-DÉJELO-YA).
“More than 30 courageous people have shared their stories through the Tips campaign since 2012,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “These real-life stories show, in a way that statistics can’t, the suffering and disability smoking causes. Most people who still smoke want to quit – this campaign will help them try and help them succeed.”
The Alliance is promoting Tips messages through its Nuestras Voces (Our Voices) Network, which is spearheaded by 11 regional partners around the country, as part of its goal to reduce tobacco use and cancer incidence in Hispanic communities. Efforts to support the campaign include one-on-one cessation support as well as bilingual social media, mobile messaging, and local media outreach.
According to Dr. Delgado, “With tobacco companies set to spend $8.3 billion in 2016 to hook new customers on their deadly products, the Tips campaign is a critical tool to make sure our communities know the real costs of this dangerous habit.” For more information visit cdc.gov/tips or call the Alliance’s Su Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-2645 for information on quitting smoking, talking to a loved one, or connection to services in your community.
About the Nuestras Voces Network. Nuestras Voces is a national network of over 100 organizations working for a tobacco-free world and to eliminate disparities in cancer prevention and treatment services. You can be part of this effort being 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 outcomes for all. For more information visit us www.hispanichealth.org.
