Shawn's Videos

Shawn was 14 years old when he started smoking. In his mid-forties, a chronic cough and laryngitis turned out to be throat cancer. He finally quit smoking—but doctors were unable to save his larynx. In this TV ad, Shawn talks about the hardships of life with a stoma, a permanent opening in his throat.

Shawn, diagnosed with throat cancer in his mid-forties, discusses how he never thought he’d get sick as a result of smoking in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers^® campaign.

In this video, Shawn talks about his addiction to cigarettes and his struggle to quit smoking, even after throat cancer. It wasn’t until his voice box was removed that he quit. He finally realized “You either quit smoking or you’re going to die.” This video is part of CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers^® campaign.

This TV ad, from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers campaign, features Shane, Sharon, and Shawn — three people who have stomas as a result of their smoking. They provide tips on how to live with this condition.