Share the Truth About Tobacco

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is conducting a national search to find people who are willing to participate and share their compelling stories, which in turn will save countless lives that would otherwise be lost due to the number-one preventable cause of death in the United States.

The Tips campaign aims to tell real stories about tobacco by featuring Americans who have undergone devastating life changes due to years of smoking. The goals of the campaign are to encourage quit attempts and increase awareness of health consequences related to smoking. Since the launch in 2012, the campaign has motivated 1.6 million smokers to make a quit attempt.

Evidence-based research strongly supports how hard-hitting ads can reduce smoking and save lives. The Tips campaign uses this technique to reach as many smokers as possible with a profound impact. For the 2016 Tips campaign, CDC is looking for stories of current or former smokers who:

• Have or have had anxiety OR depression (not both) and a serious health condition due to smoking (ages 30–60)
• Have been diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) due to smoking (ages 40–55)
• Currently serve or have served in the military and have been diagnosed with a serious health condition due to smoking (i.e., coronary artery disease/heart attack, COPD, peripheral artery disease, cancer, or stroke) (ages 30–60)
• Have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis while smoking (ages 25–60)
• Have used electronic cigarettes along with tobacco cigarettes instead of quitting because they thought it was better for their health than smoking cigarettes alone and yet they experienced a severe health problem (ages 20–60)
• Have been diagnosed with a serious health condition caused by smoking and now have a compelling positive story about the benefits experienced since quitting (ages 18–54)

For more information or to participate, visit www.joinCDCtips.com or contact Mimi Webb Miller Casting by e-mail (contact@joinCDCtips.com) or by phone (toll free) (844) 274-9816. Travel expenses and a stipend will be provided.