Meet Shawn W.
Fourteen-year-old Shawn was only trying to make friends and fit in at a new school when he started taking cigarettes from his father. Shawn became addicted to cigarettes and smoked both regular and menthol cigarettes over the next 30 years. Every cigarette he smoked took a toll on his body, as he learned later in life.
Shawn was in his mid-40s when a chronic cough and laryngitis turned out to be throat cancer. He endured 38 radiation treatments and hours at the doctor’s office and finally quit smoking—but doctors were unable to save his larynx. He now has a stoma (opening) that allows him to breathe and a laryngeal implant that allows him to speak.
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
Shawn W.’s Videos
Shawn W.’s Tip Ad
Shawn was 14 years old when he started smoking. In his mid-40s, 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 W.’s Story
Shawn, diagnosed with throat cancer in his mid-40s, discusses how he never thought he’d get sick as a result of smoking in this video from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers® (Tips®) campaign.
Shawn W.’s Struggle to Quit Smoking
Shawn’s Struggle to Quit Smoking
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® (Tips®) campaign.
Anthem Ad
This TV ad, from CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers® (Tips®) campaign, features Shane T., Sharon A., and Shawn W. — three people who have stomas as a result of their smoking. They provide tips on how to live with this condition.
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)
Shawn W.’s Biography
Fourteen-year-old Shawn was only trying to make friends and fit in at a new school when he started sneaking cigarettes from his father. Shawn became addicted to cigarettes and smoked both regular and menthol cigarettes over the next 30 years. Every cigarette he smoked took a toll on his body, as he learned later in life.
Shawn was in his mid-40s when a chronic cough and laryngitis turned out to be throat cancer. He endured 38 radiation treatments and hours at the doctor’s office and finally quit smoking—but doctors were unable to save his larynx. He now has a stoma (opening) that allows him to breathe and a laryngeal implant that allows him to speak. As someone who enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, Shawn says the loss of his natural voice was “heartbreaking.”
“I went through 3 years of treatment and recovery,” says Shawn, who is now 50. “I have to get my implant changed every 90 days, and it’s not fun.”
Shawn wants others to learn from his experiences through the Tips From Former Smokers® campaign. He hopes his story will help others quit smoking.
“It’s a rough road,” he says. “I wouldn’t like to see anyone else go through what I’ve gone through, because it affects you the rest of your life. You have a choice. Look at me and you see where choosing to smoke leads. Is this the choice you want to make?”
More About Shawn W.
[Print Ad
Shawn W.’s Tip [PDF – 481KB]
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/resources/ads/pdf-print-ads/shawns-tip-print-ad-7x10.pdf)
Additional Resources
[Cancer
Get the Facts
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/cancer.html)
[Menthol Cigarettes
Get the Facts
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/menthol-tobacco/index.html)
More Related Stories
More Real Stories about cancer:
[Meet Andy A.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/andy-a.html)
[Meet Annette S.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/annette.html)
[Meet Brian H.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/brian-heart.html)
[Meet Christine B.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/christine.html)
[Meet Elizabeth B.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/elizabeth-b.html)
[Meet Fred W.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/fred-w.html)
[Meet Julia C.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/julia.html)
[Meet Mark A.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/mark.html)
[Meet Rose H.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/rose.html)
[Meet Shane T.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/shane.html)
[Meet Sharon A.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/sharon.html)
[Meet Terrie H.
](https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/stories/terrie.html)
See all Tips Participant Stories
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