HHS HealthBeat (May 22, 2012)

Life after smoking

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

It’s not easy, but it could be the most important decision you ever make. Quitting smoking, or never starting, is so vital to your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched a new campaign, Tips from Former Smokers, to show just how harsh tobacco can be, first and second hand.

Suzy was 15 when she started smoking. When she was 57 she suffered a stroke.

“Apparently, a lot of people don’t know smoking can cause a stroke. It can. It caused mine. I used to love to travel. Now, I can’t leave the house by myself. And I can’t drive anymore.”  

Tobacco use causes cancer and other diseases. CDC offers free resources to help people quit.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: May 22, 2012