CDC Ends its 13-Year Anti-Smoking Campaign Amid Funding Cuts

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will conclude its highly impactful 'Tips From Former Smokers' advertising campaign at the end of September. Launched in 2012, this initiative aimed to motivate Americans to quit smoking by showcasing personal stories highlighting the severe health consequences of tobacco use. Over the course of more than a decade, the campaign contributed to millions of smoking cessation attempts and helped over one million individuals achieve long-term abstinence from smoking.

The campaign's success was substantiated by research from RTI International, which indicated that calls to the national quitline surged during periods when the ads aired and declined when they paused. Notable success stories include individuals like Leslie Allison-Seei, who after smoking for over 40 years, faced a life-threatening health crisis that compelled her to quit smoking. With support such as nicotine patches, counseling, and telehealth coaching, Leslie quit immediately and has maintained her smoke-free status for over 11 years.

Despite its effectiveness, funding for the campaign has been reduced as part of broader restructuring efforts within the CDC's chronic disease programs. The cessation of the campaign raises concerns among public health experts, who warn that many state quitlines—dependent on CDC funding—may face cuts or closures. Additionally, the removal of these free resources and accessible support systems may result in fewer individuals receiving necessary assistance to quit smoking.

Health officials emphasize that quitting smoking is critically important for individual health and could save billions in healthcare costs by preventing tobacco-related diseases. They encourage current smokers seeking support to contact the national quitline at 800-QUIT-NOW or their local quit services, which remain free and quick to access.

This decision to end a widely regarded public health campaign highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining funding for health promotion programs, even those with proven success, underscoring the need for sustained investment in tobacco cessation initiatives. For more details, visit the CDC's 'Tips From Former Smokers' campaign [source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-cdc-anti-ads-years.html]