Att 5

Due to the lapse in government funding, only web sites supporting excepted functions will be
updated unless otherwise funded. As a result, the information on this website may not be up to
date, the transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not
be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.
Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be
found at http://www.usa.gov.

Media Statement
For Immediate Release: September 17, 2013
Contact: Media Relations (http://www.cdc.gov/media)
(404) 639-3286

Statement from CDC Director Tom Frieden on the passing of Terrie
Hall, former Tips From Former Smokers ad participant
I am deeply saddened to hear that Terrie Hall has passed away after a courageous fight against
cancer caused by the cigarette smoking she started in high school. Terrie wanted to save people
from having to go through the sickness and surgeries she endured. She is an inspiration.
Her story, now known to millions, motivated tens of thousands of smokers to quit. In sharing
her story, she saved thousands of people from tobacco-related illness, disability, and death. I am
reminded of the words of a former CDC Director, Dr. Bill Foege, who said that public health is at
its best when we see, and help others see, the faces and the lives behind the numbers.
I believe that for me and for literally millions of other Americans, Terrie put a face to the
440,000 people killed by smoking each year in the US. Terrie is one of the more than 1,200
Americans who were killed by smoking in the past 24 hours. Because of her courage, we both
know more about the lives of these numbers – and because of her impact, there will be fewer
such deaths in the future.
I feel privileged to have gotten to know Terrie personally as a friend, and I – along with everyone
else whose life she touched – will miss her greatly. I offer my condolences to Terrie’s family,
friends, and all who knew and cared about her.
Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (http://www.hhs.gov/)
(http://www.cdc.gov/Other/disclaimer.html)

Terrie’s Videos: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/resources/videos/terrievideos.html (http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/resources/videos/terrie-videos.html)
Page last reviewed: September 17, 2013
Page last updated: September 17, 2013
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - Contact CDC–INFO