CDC: Tips From Former Smokers - Terrie H.: “Terrie, What Are You Doing?”

Terrie smoked her first cigarette at 13. In 2000, she found a sore in her mouth that was diagnosed as oral cancer. Later she found out she had throat cancer. In this video from CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign, Terrie talks about getting home from the hospital after having surgery and her first realization that she had to quit smoking. She picked up a cigarette, put it in her mouth, and "for the first time, I looked at myself in the mirror, and I thought, 'Terrie, what are you doing?'"
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[@chasvang0625]

I tried cigarette a couple of time and it was so bitter and nasty. I don't how people be getting addicted to it. I'm addicted to eating chips though.....

[@Axel-qz2rj]

Better chips that cigarets!

[@bellajoplin7246]

Sameeeee! Well I mean same to the chip part lol

[@emobetsy]

Hahaha same

[@OnlyMichaelJackson]

lol same

[@3.MptyUntitled]

My Foodie Brotha!

[@missyfford4962]

I’m 11 years old and my mother smokes. Not as much as this lady, she only smokes when she has a drink so once a week , (1 pack a week) and after showing her this video, she vowed to never smoke again. 1 year later, she hasn’t smoked at all. Thank you Terri❤️

[@ravenscrazylifeforever3091]

I'm 14 and my mom smokes. It's very hard for her to quit and I'm worried that my mom will end up like Terrie. My teacher showed my class a video with Terrie and I'm scared for my mom. My mom is 50 and she's been smoking since she was 16! I don't want to lose my mother!

[@alyssa-dc4my]

You're lucky. I showed this to my parents who are both smokers and they didn't care. They said they were gonna quit at age 40, my dad is 41 and is still smoking. My mom is 39 and ik that she won't quit. I'm not sure when my dad started, but my mom started at 14 years old. 😔

[@mppm9897]

The moment when Terrie looked like she was going to break into tears because of shame, regret, sadness etc. broke my heart all too much. Rest in peace Terrie. You didn't know what you were getting yourself into.

[@michaelgriffiths3565]

R.I.P Terrie. God Bless

[@ghettoworks416]

+Stephan D. Yup. After all the adverts were made

[@drew4570]

Yes rip

[@Bongobrian01]

I smoked for 23 years. This is my first and final quit attempt... I am now entering my third clean week. My internal smoke gremlin is nearly dead and I am enjoying killing it. :0)

[@johnsmith-jh9sz]

Poor Terrie. Her grandchildren were terrified of her. Rest In Peace and thank you for being brave enough to show yourself to help many people's lifes. You live in our hearts.

[@GuitarMonster7]

R.I.P. Terrie ;( She was such an amazing and inspiring lady. I'll never even think of touching a cigarette in my life.

[@no9880]

GuitarMonster7 she died..?

[@_thebusphotograher_cali]

Yes she’s passed away like a long time ago.!

[@bigbadjoker2]

My mom is a nurse in a Novant hospital and she saw this lady. She died in there.

[@the-charged-fox6211]

Wow...thats terrible.

[@sterlingraynor655]

are you serious?

[@dtrimarchi5]

This is sooo sad it breaks my heart

[@waynefewell9654]

i gave up smoking on wenasday I'm only young I'm only 25 but 3 days for me without smoking for me

[@yan-bp8kn]

i know right :')

[@Stokedhavok]

Congrats! Keep it up! I believe in you. ^_^

[@AIDANWHITE-vm2qw]

Yeah every time I watch this I always feel sad

[@missagente8100]

I know; she was absolutely gorgeous before she decided to smoke. :( I'm just glad she was courageous enough to speak on television and help people quit smoking.

[@kaydeebee3955]

Terrie passed away today. She fought as long and as hard as she could. I know her message got through to people. She was a very brave person.

[@TyJaiGuruDevaOm]

I started smoking a year ago.. ok well I guess I'll stop now.

[@cindystewart4374]

please do!!now

[@alexismillerMissAngel]

I hope you do! :)

[@hihopes2004]

Good for you. You can quit.

[@Jrayee]

Good luck

[@witchpitch3890]

Well you should :)

[@yansfor5306]

I had a bf who smoked. He was the sweetest guy ever minus the smoking. I've never thought that dating someone who smokes would be a big deal, I never smoked in my entire life always hated the smell of it. I was getting upset and tired of the smoke clinging to my hair, and clothes my skin began to look horrible. I was even beginning to have sharp pains in my chest. it seemed like it was everyday that my eyes and nostrils felt like they were burning. I still put up with it for years until I began to try and convince him to stop, but that was because he began to breath harder than usual. We even had a big scare because the doctor told him he needs to get checked for cancer due to symptoms he was showing. I got very scared and I was crying nothing I told him helped. The good thing is that he was OK and had no cancer, but it didn't mean he was healthy it was practically every day I was worried about his health. while still putting up with my eyes and nostrils burning everyday it was not a good feeling. I felt horrible everyday and having to wakeup and see if he was OK because he would keep complaining how his mouth hurt so much where there were times he wouldn't even eat. He still did not want to let go of those cigarettes. After thinking and more thinking I decided to make the decision to leave him. I loved him, but I guess he loved those cigarettes more than anything else. He would get mad at me telling me that I thought I was better than him because of the smoking, but I don't understand how that made me stuck up when I was there Infront of him crying to him that I was worried about his health and I didn't want to see him hurting like that. Eventually I got tired of everything the crying that horrible feeling of feeling bad all the time because my eyes and nose felt like they burned. the sharp chest pains I use to have. the horrible smell clinging to my clothes. Plus trying to be there for him when he was in pain, but did nothing but keep on smoking without wanting to stop. If there are any of you who are non smokers thinking oh what's the big deal if he or she smokes. Don't waste your time and if you decide to give them a chance prepare for the stress, the crying, the bills for dentist and doctors, and if you end up being sensitive to the smoke like I am the burning of eyes and nose, the nasty smell sticking to clothes and hair and your skin feeling really dry and just unhealthy. You will feel horrible on the outside and inside and be emotionally stressed, worried, angry. I hate those cigarettes so much.

[@InsiderKnowledgeX]

O

[@yana212]

my dad died of cigarettes he wouldn't quit even after the doctor told him his heart was working at 8%

[@milkyii]

yana212 Condolence to your father 🙏🙏🙏 My grandfather died because he have lung cancer, and the cause of it was because my grandfather keeps on smoking

[@yana212]

Yeah it's tough. Thank you

[@solarpits]

This is why I will absolutely NOT smoke

[@no9880]

Tooey Does Music same😧

[@danmooney1906]

"Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world I know because I've done it thousands of times"-Mark Twain. He wasn't kidding I picked up smoking about 3 years ago and I've realized it becomes the hardest to quit when you rely on it as a stress mechanism. RIP Terrie

[@dougbalt]

Terrie didn't die for nothing. Please listen to her advice.

[@Als.jo96]

I used to smoke almost 30 cigarettes a day and now I'm down to 10 cigarettes each day wish me luck

[@offline3401]

Alex Alsmadi R.I.P. you cuz you will get cancer and that is bad

[@mandymoore1999]

This lovely woman could have had a close to normal life if it wasn't for the addiction. I feel bad, but I know that she realized her mistake, even if it was a little too late. I've never smoked, and I never will. She will be in my prayers and I hope she will live the rest of her life as healthy as possible.

[@danny400ss7]

Unfortunately she died at age 53 R.I.P. Terrie

[@ahliypronouncedah-lee7269]

+Dr. Phil Really? Wow.

[@missagente8100]

+Mandy Moore I know. If you haven't already, you should see the ad that features pictures of her before she decided to smoke. She was gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. It's really sad that someone so beautiful could want to smoke and become addicted to the point where you can scarcely recognize Terrie as previously being the pretty young lady she was in the pictures. :-(

[@user-yg5by5it5z]

Ali Gregg س يشدد .

[@ijustgottahotdog]

Thank god I quit smoking when I had the chance!

[@OnlyMichaelJackson]

yayyyy!!!!

[@yourstruly3585]

Congratulations!

[@missagente8100]

Way to go! :D

[@ijustgottahotdog]

Miss Agent E Thanks guys!

[@mxdera]

You did great! Keep it up, ya..... Person I don't know

[@edenmantoufeh7878]

I am 11 years of age and this is all I'm saying. I am never going to place a cigarette or any type of cigar into my mouth ever in my entire life. None of my parents smoke so I've been influenced not to, lucky me.

[@onliner10000]

Good. I have. Dont do it

[@jacobguzmanmusic3174]

i do it

[@isabellesaunders5784]

eden mantoufeh soooo lucky

[@pcchadwick]

Terrie passed away today. She has saved so many lives, its a shame we couldn't save hers.

[@CDC]

Congrats on 3 weeks smoke-free! Thanks for sharing your quit progress with us. You are now on your way to a healthier, happier life. Keep up the good work and enjoy the continued benefits of being smoke-free for good!

[@BojanaLekic88]

I saw one doctor who said that you need to try to quit and if you fail you need to keep trying and one day you will quit smoking... So I tried and after 7 days I start again.After 1 month I tried again to quit and after 2 days I start again. Few months later after I prepare mentally myself, I decided to try again... That was in June 2012, now is September 2013 and I proud to say I AM NON-SMOKER AND I FEEL GREAT :)

[@coledurkee4622]

Terrie passed away from her cancer this week at age 53. RIP brave woman.

[@snapplemaster4232]

Not going to cry 😓 Not going to cry😢 Not going to 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Am crying

[@karimaz4618]

me watching lion king for the billionth time

[@frumiousbandersnatch2815]

RIP Terri, you've helped more people to quit and some to never start. God rest your soul.

[@Disaster755]

6 months before she died :(

[@monaghanfanpage4028]

i tried my first cigarette when i was 12 and i didnt like it at all, i would only take a drag or two and it still was gross, im happy i havent ever smoked enough to get addicted

[@missagente8100]

My mom told me she tried a cigarette when she was young because one of her brothers did it, and she told me she gagged for almost a half hour after trying. She has never smoked or tried to smoke since then, and neither have I or my siblings or other family members.

[@suomiprinsessa7592]

I feel so sad watching this video she passed away last year :( RIP....Thank GOD I am smoking free for 3 years. :)

[@janellewolfe331]

they should make smoking illegal

[@calebtvog]

Janelle Wolfe for real!

[@lauringrace1389]

I fully agree.

[@frynzrusselc.cadano7291]

Janelle Wolfe yep

[@johnnyfartpants4801]

That Wouldn't stop people from smoking.

[@kaisoo2556]

And it's funny because Alcohol and cigarettes are legal but they kill you quicker

[@elisascott08]

R.I.P Terri!! May you forever have your beautiful voice back ♥

[@Carolineexmillan]

i remember watching her at 11 years old and i always wished the best for her . rest in peace beautiful .

[@keda0021]

if you want to quit cigarette , Daily get up early in morning , go in fresh air where you feel comfortable , Close your eyes , take deep breath in and out ....for max to max time ...and then whatever you feel thts awesome ....... cheers now ...

[@johnwilliams-dg6qx]

keda0021 or just vape

[@hustlamaan]

A month and 2 days ago my sister sent me this video after she had her baby, it completely changed my perspective of Cigarettes, i was smoking like a chimney, i was an addict i did everything she said i smoked everytime i had a meal or watching a movie till the movie ended. cold turkey quitting is all about your mental, throw away your pack and forget about cigarettes if anyone is smoking near you walk away its not easy but if its about life or death what would you choose?. Thank you Terrie Hall, Thank you.

[@amberrichard4140]

I wish I could hug her when she was about to cry R.I.P you are in a better place

[@ThePictchaguy]

I also started smoking at 13. At 14 I was buying my own cigarettes at the drug store for65 cents a pack. I quit at 33. I spent 22 years in the United States Army in some of the toughest units and I can tell you that quitting smoking was THE hardest thing I have ever done. It is a horrible, horrible habit. I haven't touched one now for 14 years and I am proud of that achievement. Please, don't smoke.

[@Sean-im2jh]

This was the video 5 years ago that made me quit smoking

[@offline3401]

Terrie you are a beautiful woman and I could see the fear in yours eyes. Rip terrie. You were regretting what you did but it was too late to stop.

[@tanyamilsom726]

I feel so bad..she doesn’t deserve this..

[@brownsugar9394]

I will never smoke in my life , I know its an addiction but I would rather not start then end up 6 feet under because of a stick

[@tania13tdlc]

She’s a hero, even tho she died she’s still a hero

[@TerrellMorganStudio]

You will be in my prayers Terrie! Have hope in faith! God will guide you and help you Terrie! 🙏

[@gracejulia4299]

I'm 14 and I have never smoked or drunk alcohol, and I have all these bumps at the back of my throat and I'm so scared that they are cancer, I really really hope they're not, going to see the doctor soon. I feel so sorry for Terrie and wish the best of luck to her in the future.

[@Zulu010]

I would rather die, than to live with that voice and look. I'm sorry for her tough. May god bless her.

[@shaylaamari8361]

R.I.P Terrie I know that if you would have been able to change all this you would its okay you learned )-;

[@lanikohler]

Praise God she came forward to allow others to see her pain and perhaps make different choices.

[@Electrori]

Wow, Terrie's videos really changed my life... Goog luck Terrie! You're an awesome human being!

[@barrysoetoro1543]

You saved me. I cant say I love you enough. You are my angel. I smoked for 40years and had prostate cancer. Ten days after my surgery I started smoking again. I could feel it whenever I smoked. My friends told me I was poisoning myself.

[@HoustonSmileDocs]

Thank you for sharing your story, Terri. I hope this will help other people to quit smoking.

[@alexobrien4090]

Terrie, you didn't know what you wee getting yourself into, but now knowing what can happen to people, it just made me cry and cry. When I saw a comment saying "R.I.P Terrie" I cried and prayed that you were still here, but sadly that could no longer physically be real. I tried to deny it in my mind but I saw you in my mind saying "Its okay.". I know that you're still here. I have been moved and want to stop people from smoking more than ever. You put your word out there, now its our own to pass along.

[@oumaimadimassi711]

Thank God i quit a few months ago i feel better, breathe better eat better... life is just 10000× better when u don't smoke!!

[@Nooooooooooooooooooooo7913]

R.I.P. you were amazing to share your story with the world

[@WildersIsRight]

What an amazing lady to do this for people. God will bless you.

[@springholt4190]

WHAT THE CRAP SHE GAVE ME THE CHILLS!!!😱😱 literally I'm terrified right now!😵

[@isabelkroemer1689]

you stop smoking lol

[@offline3401]

Spring Holt she is dead too😿

[@ConnectSparrows]

This is so sad. Good that she shared her story and made herslef an inspiration for others to quite smoking.

[@azhalia21]

She was a hero to so many young and old who quit the habit. Too late for her but the fact that she wanted to show others the reality of smoking, makes her a winner.

[@MelodyMaker151]

I am amazed at how the world's view of smoking has changed. I can remember people smoking everywhere when I was a kid in the early to mid eighties. She did a good thing by speaking out.

[@Cherokee100000]

Thank you very much for making this video my sister is in the same condition you are and I quit smoking 18 months ago I will never touch another cigarette and I found your video very inspiring... Your video should be shared a lot more than just on KZbin

[@baddieontheblockbaddieonth3690]

All the smokers stop right now it is not good

[@lilliec6083]

Heart breaking. I cried.

[@igiavonna]

RIP TERRIE, YOU WON'T HAVE TO BE IN PAIN ANYMORE!~ YOUR STORY HAS MAD ME WANT TO STOP SMOKING!

[@RepRapper]

Rest in piece and thank you.

[@aishafall7737]

So sad. Some people wouldn't even stop smoking because of the video...

[@lancepackman6741]

Aisha F. We're all gonna die anyway

[@kaisoo2556]

My grandma

[@Shepard434]

Thank you Terrie. Wish good luck to you!

[@alexhein1738]

This is scary.

[@nooderl3212]

My teacher showed me this on Health Education. My teacher said to not smoke or you'll end up like this. I hope this woman is resting well. Rip.

[@sizematters5142]

What would you do? She saved me! Everybody told me to quit. I listened to her.

[@evelyn-sf5cz]

my dad used to smoke, before he died, when I was just 6. I miss him. He was the best!

[@Ashes2Ashes_Blush2Blush]

This makes me so sad.... I can't help but to tear up.

[@MarshallMathersthe7th]

I smoked for 7 years and im now on my 9th day of quitting. Im 21 and im not planning to smoke for another 40-50 years. Im going for a healthy life

[@pookiedavis8560]

R.I.P. Beautiful ⚘

[@ChloeGomez98]

She was such an inspration for people may she rest in peace

[@PW580]

This is actually really scary to see. I applaud the woman for having the courage to share her story and try to get people to quit smoking. I'm glad my parents are/were so strict on me, I never smoked and I'm glad I didn't. I know too many people who smoke and I really wish they would stop.

[@gfahr60]

R.I.P. Dear Terror You're an inspiration God Bless

[@anthonytilley4809]

RIP Terrie you were a beautiful soul

[@sarahhealy9442]

This is so sad aww my heart melting I feel so bad

[@CDC]

We are glad to hear that you are interested in sharing Terrie’s video to help educate youth about the dangers of smoking and tobacco-use. The easiest thing for you to do would be to copy and paste the direct hyperlink to this video into your powerpoint. Then when you’re ready to show it, you can just click on the link and it will take you directly to the video on KZbin.

[@cbmedia6850]

My grandad smokes from 14 year old to now. He still smokes now and he's 75. Weirdly he is perfectly still alive apart from his teeth and skin. Apart from that he is still very active

[@lovepinkgirl97]

God Bless you Terrie and I hope you inspired other people to quit smoking. I am 16 years old and have never smoked a cigarette in my life and I will NEVER smoke at all, but I have some family that do smoke and I have showed them this channel on KZbin and thanks to your story. They have finally quit!!! Thank you!!! (:

[@TheManny717]

RIP Terrie T_T You are one brave soul.

[@BigAdventureFam]

Beautiful video and beautiful family.

[@Smartboy8877]

She sounds like quite a lady! Thank you very much for sharing all of that information.

[@xaynecharlson8709]

I'm watching these videos because I was gonna start smoking... Dont think I will again. So thank you.

[@aronc253]

This made me cry so much I had to calm down and go to sleep

[@luver4ag1]

I didn't realize that she was gone. RIP terrie. I tested up watching this. so sad

[@yeepyoop2023]

I respect this women so much

[@youshanma1298]

We had a protest of banning cigarettes in front of our city hall

[@dmontemcintosh2994]

That almost made me cry

[@jace9468]

Rest in piece terrie

[@ksmjc1969]

I quit on Tuesday 5th 2018 I woke up sick and tired of not being able to breath , stinking , always worried about were I was going to get my next smoke break . What really opened my eyes was helping a friend move last month I could hardly breath . We went on a trip to Hawaii last month as well . We had a layover in Sacramento I had to smoke so we went out past security and then tried to get back through and we’re stuck ! They wouldn’t let us back in because our tickets didn’t say Sacramento to Maui they said Seattle to Maui . We got lucky and got a very nice lady to reprint out tickets and got through security with only minutes to spare . All because of smoking we could have lost our trip to Maui . That’s nothing compared to what this poor woman is going through now I quit cold turkey on Tuesday I use the gum to help and it’s working! Please quit now !

[@theshadowcat8014]

i feel so bad

[@urmom5850]

I feel soo bad for her she was so sad... I'm sorry tarrie I feel so bad for you. I feel sorry for her family and there loss...

[@barbie8640]

Rest in peace

[@darkvices8008]

Hello CDC, I appreciate the awareness methods you are using to achieve the awareness of others. I only wish my Mother was not stubborn to the point she was a nurse, and is still smoking. I am in my teen years, and I don't know what could happen to her if she does not stop.

[@fernetea]

Hang on there, Terrie, everyone thinks and knows you are inspirational

[@SpiritMinnow]

RIP :'(

[@funnychilli123]

Brian I just wanted to say good job on the 3 weeks clean, iv never smoked in my life so i cant really know how hard it is to quit and ill never understand it, however just wanted to say keep it up! :D

[@nanakuzak]

it is really a sad story... I hope she can rest in peace! for the good sake of yourself, quit smoking...

[@gurudayalkhare4256]

Ty Terrie

[@laurajurek2989]

a very sad scary video unfortunately this addiction got the best of her rip Terry you're smoke free now