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We often lose sight of the individuals whose lives will be changed and potentially saved once political leaders pass strong and effective tobacco control policies.  The American Lung Association has compiled some personal stories to showcase how real people’s lives have been changed as a result of some of the life-saving policies highlighted in this report.

If you or someone you knows life has been affected by tobacco control policies or by tobacco use in general, please share your story with us.

Tracey L.
Since PA went smokefree in most eating establishments, my life has changed...
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Jim M.
I was a smoker for 38 years. One day, Jan 1st, 2005, I decided to smoke my last cigarette and throw the remainder of the pack away...
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Michelle G.
I lost my dad to lung cancer almost 3 years ago...
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Jenny R.
Hi, After two decades of smoking, I became smoke-free 01/30/09!! I want to support graphic images on tobacco packaging...
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Christina V.
I had no intention of ending my 26-year addiction to cigarettes until the day my doctor took a picture of the inside of my throat...
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TJ
I live in an apartment that below me they smoke so much it is in my apartment and the only thing I can do is move. My entire family is sick as well as we smell like smoke. It is sickening.

Nancy F.
I had tried for several years to quit on my own cold turkey, respiratory infections etc. I could never stay Smokefree, giving myself permission to have just one cigarette but one was never enough...
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Stewart
"Mary" is a 99 years young woman who was exposed to second hand smoke at her daughters home by her daughter's 72 yr old chain smoking husband...
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Mary M.
I have COPD only in early 50s. This is my 4th time to try and quit in the last year, I'm having a bad time as usual and no product seems to help.

Lenora J.
I picked up my puppy from the breeder at the end of Agust 2009 and a week later I suffered smoking related bronchitis for 5 weeks...
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Lynn M.
I THOUGHT 35 YEARS AGO IT WAS GROWN UP TO SMOKE CIGARETTES BECAUSE ALL GROWN UP PEOPLE DID...
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Jeff G.
My name is Jeff and I quit a 30 year smoking habit almost 4 years ago at the age of 44...
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Ila W.
Thanks to the Colorado Quit Line, I was able to finally quit smoking in August 2007...
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Wendy W.
I quit smoking in May of 1993 because I was pregnant and vowed to remain smoke free. I thought it to be completely insane to quit...
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