Suzy E.’s Story

Tips From Former Smokers ®

Meet Suzy E.

Suzy came from a family that smoked, so it wasn’t unusual when she began sneaking cigarettes at age 15. Suzy grew up and married; she and her husband were exemplary entrepreneurs. Both also smoked. Although Suzy had quit smoking when she was pregnant with her second child, she eventually started again, smoking on and off for several years.

In 2007, at age 57, Suzy suffered a stroke, which her doctors linked to her many years of smoking. It was then that she quit smoking for good. The stroke caused her to have partial paralysis and problems with her speech and eyes.

Worse yet, it cost Suzy her independence. Suzy died in 2024 at the age of 75.

On This Page

Free Quitting Resources

Telephone

• 1-800-QUIT-NOW
• 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
• 1-800-838-8917 (中文)
• 1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
• 1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)

Smartphone Apps/Text

• Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
• quitSTART appexternal icon

Web

• Quit Smoking (En Español)
• Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
• Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon

Suzy E.’s Videos

Suzy E.’s Tip Ad

Suzy’s Tip Ad

Low Resolution Video

Smoking contributes to one in five strokes in the United States. In this TV ad for CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers® (Tips®) campaign, Suzy talks about losing her independence after smoking caused her to have a stroke. Suzy died in 2024 at the age of 75.

On This Page

Free Quitting Resources

Telephone

• 1-800-QUIT-NOW
• 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (Español)
• 1-800-838-8917 (中文)
• 1-800-556-5564 (한국어)
• 1-800-778-8440 (Tiếng Việt)

Smartphone Apps/Text

• Text QUITNOW to 333888—Message and data rates may apply
• quitSTART appexternal icon

Web

• Quit Smoking (En Español)
• Smokefree.govexternal icon (En Español)
• Asian Smokers’ Quitlineexternal icon

Persons with disabilities experiencing problems accessing these videos should contact CDC-INFO at CDC-INFO email form: https://www.cdc.gov/info, 800-232-4636 or the TTY number at (888) 232-6348 and ask for a 508 Accommodation PR#9342. If emailing please type “508 Accommodation PR#9342” without quotes in the subject line of the email. Please include the URL of the site in the Subject line of your email request that you would like to access.

View more Tips videos sorted by name, disease and specific groups

View the Tips YouTube video playlist

[](https://smokefree.gov/tips)

Suzy E.’s Biography

Suzy came from a family that smoked. “My mother, father, grandparents — the whole family did it,” she said. It wasn’t unusual, then, when Suzy began sneaking cigarettes at age 15.

Suzy grew up and married; she and her husband were exemplary entrepreneurs. Their successful ventures included a seafood market in Florida and a marine fuel business. Both also smoked. They had two children, and when Suzy learned she was pregnant with her second son, Daniel, she gave up cigarettes. “I was determined to quit, and I did — cold turkey,” said Suzy.

Although she had quit smoking during her pregnancy, Suzy resumed smoking shortly after Daniel’s birth. “I was running out of breath frequently and thought, I can’t be smoking around a baby,’” she said. She quit again. The talented cook substituted cooking for smoking and she kept busy with her family and friends, as well as reading and traveling. But she still smoked on and off for several years, according to her son Daniel.

In 2007, at age 57, Suzy suffered a stroke, which her doctors linked to her many years of smoking. It was then that she quit smoking for good. The stroke caused Suzy to have partial paralysis and problems with her speech and eyes. Worse yet, it cost Suzy her independence. “I’m dependent on other people. I need someone to help wash and dress me, to help me to the bathroom,” she said.

Suzy’s spirit remained upbeat. She was an avid reader, made her way through many best sellers, and still loved to cook and travel. She believed the Tips From Former Smokers® campaign can make a difference. On the subject of smoking, she stressed, “If you haven’t started, don’t; and if you have started, you can quit. It’s never too late.” Suzy died in 2024 at the age of 75.

More About Suzy E.

[Print Ad

Suzy E.’s Tip [PDF – 879KB]

](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/resources/ads/pdf-print-ads/suzys-tip-print-ad-7x10.pdf)

Additional Resources

[Heart Disease and Stroke

Get the Facts

](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/heart-disease-stroke.html)

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