The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched the 2024 version of its federally funded national tobacco education campaign to help more people quit smoking, with a special focus on menthol cigarettes. The CDC’s Tips campaign is designed to increase smoking cessation awareness and intervention in populations with high smoking rates and poorer health outcomes, including those living with mental illness.

Dr. Lama Bazzi, a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City, emphasized that the program relies on testimonials given by people from the target communities, making the content relatable and increasing the utilization of the free resources the campaign makes available. The campaign features stories and tips from former smokers who successfully quit the habit.

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the U.S. Nicotine, while psychoactive and potentially helpful in reducing stress and anxiety, is not the primary concern; rather, it is the chemicals in tobacco that cause cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. Menthol cigarettes, in particular, carry a higher health risk than regular cigarettes, according to the CDC.

Menthol, a chemical found naturally in plants like peppermint, can also be produced in a lab. The CDC’s campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and provide free resources to support individuals in their journey to quit smoking.

The CDC’s initiative is a part of ongoing efforts to combat smoking-related health issues and reduce the prevalence of tobacco use in the U.S. By sharing real stories of individuals who have successfully overcome their addiction to smoking, the campaign seeks to inspire and support others in their quest to lead healthier, smoke-free lives.