Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

February 28, 2013 LOS ANGELES — A woman who smoked a cigarette through a hole in her throat to illustrate her struggle with nicotine addiction in a California public service advertisement has died of cancer, health officials and her family said Wednesday. Debi Austin died Friday at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, according to family friend and spokesman Jim Walker. She was 62. Austin first appeared on television in 1996, telling viewers she began smoking at age 13 and could never quit. In a quiet, halting rasp, Austin told the camera, "They say nicotine isn't addictive," before inhaling from a lit cigarette held to a hole in her throat. "How can they say that?," Austin asked viewers, as cigarette smoke wafted from the hole. Called a stoma, the hole in her throat allowed her to breathe after her larynx was removed at age 42. The TV spot was, "the most-recognized and talked about California tobacco control ad," according to the state health department. "Debi was a pioneer in the fight against tobacco and showed tremendous courage by sharing her story to educate Californians on the dangers of smoking," said Dr. Ron Chapman, who heads the health department. "She was an inspiration for Californians to quit smoking and also influenced countless others not to start." Four months after the ad, Austin quit smoking—halting a two- to three-pack-a-day habit. She fought various forms of cancer for the rest of her life. She starred in other ads and spent the rest of her life advocating against the use of tobacco. "True to Debi's spirit, she was a fighter to the end and leaves a big hole in our hearts and lives. Debi will be remembered fondly by those who love her to be caring, courageous, very funny and always there to offer advice or lend a hand," the family's statement said. *Another Article* Emma Koonse , Christian Post Reporter February 28, 2013|11:21 am Debi Austin, who starred in the famous anti-smoking commercial during the 1990s, died of cancer on Friday. California's anti-tobacco ad made waves when it first aired in 1996. It featured Austin, who smoked a cigarette through a hole in her throat, in order to demonstrate tobacco's dangers. Health officials as well as Austin's family said that she died at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles on Friday at the age of 62, reported The Los Angeles Times. Austin had smoked her first cigarette at the age of 13, and was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21. Her intense addiction to nicotine led to the loss of her larynx at the age of 42. Subsequent of that cancer treatment, Austin required a "voicebox" as well as a surgical hole in her throat, through which she swallowed and smoked. Despite her condition, Austin was unable to kick her addiction to nicotine, but she struck back at cigarette companies. After appearing in the memorable public-awareness campaign, Austin became a powerful advocate against smoking. After a 20-year battle against cancer, health officials and members of Austin's family are mourning her as "the most-recognized and talked about California tobacco control ad," the State Department of Health officials said in a statement, according to The Times. "Debi was a pioneer in the fight against tobacco and showed tremendous courage by sharing her story to educate Californians on the dangers of smoking," Dr. Ron Chapman at the agency said in a statement. While parents are sounding off about their appreciation for Austin's message to young people on social media sites, the Austin family is mourning their loss. "True to Debi's spirit, she was a fighter to the end and leaves a big hole in our hearts and lives," Austin's family said in a statement, reported ABC News. "Debi will be remembered fondly by those who love her to be caring, courageous, very funny and always there to offer or lend a hand," the family added. "She was passionate and outspoken about what she believed in and deeply touched all who knew her or heard her story." Ahead of her death last week, Austin had spent the past few years traveling state to state and speaking her anti-smoking ads. She appeared in two more anti-smoking ads that were first released in 2011. The commercials left a lasting impression, one that Austin said she hopes will make young people think before smoking. Read more at http://global.christianpost.com/news/debi-austin-commercial-remebered-in-wake-of-her-death-video-90980/#hqX6z8LdMD7VVlCo.99 AP Photo: Damian Dovarganes." /> February 28, 2013 LOS ANGELES — A woman who smoked a cigarette through a hole in her throat to illustrate her struggle with nicotine addiction in a California public service advertisement has died of cancer, health officials and her family said Wednesday. Debi Austin died Friday at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, according to family friend and spokesman Jim Walker. She was 62. Austin first appeared on television in 1996, telling viewers she began smoking at age 13 and could never quit. In a quiet, halting rasp, Austin told the camera, "They say nicotine isn't addictive," before inhaling from a lit cigarette held to a hole in her throat. "How can they say that?," Austin asked viewers, as cigarette smoke wafted from the hole. Called a stoma, the hole in her throat allowed her to breathe after her larynx was removed at age 42. The TV spot was, "the most-recognized and talked about California tobacco control ad," according to the state health department. "Debi was a pioneer in the fight against tobacco and showed tremendous courage by sharing her story to educate Californians on the dangers of smoking," said Dr. Ron Chapman, who heads the health department. "She was an inspiration for Californians to quit smoking and also influenced countless others not to start." Four months after the ad, Austin quit smoking—halting a two- to three-pack-a-day habit. She fought various forms of cancer for the rest of her life. She starred in other ads and spent the rest of her life advocating against the use of tobacco. "True to Debi's spirit, she was a fighter to the end and leaves a big hole in our hearts and lives. Debi will be remembered fondly by those who love her to be caring, courageous, very funny and always there to offer advice or lend a hand," the family's statement said. *Another Article* Emma Koonse , Christian Post Reporter February 28, 2013|11:21 am Debi Austin, who starred in the famous anti-smoking commercial during the 1990s, died of cancer on Friday. California's anti-tobacco ad made waves when it first aired in 1996. It featured Austin, who smoked a cigarette through a hole in her throat, in order to demonstrate tobacco's dangers. Health officials as well as Austin's family said that she died at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles on Friday at the age of 62, reported The Los Angeles Times. Austin had smoked her first cigarette at the age of 13, and was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21. Her intense addiction to nicotine led to the loss of her larynx at the age of 42. Subsequent of that cancer treatment, Austin required a "voicebox" as well as a surgical hole in her throat, through which she swallowed and smoked. Despite her condition, Austin was unable to kick her addiction to nicotine, but she struck back at cigarette companies. After appearing in the memorable public-awareness campaign, Austin became a powerful advocate against smoking. After a 20-year battle against cancer, health officials and members of Austin's family are mourning her as "the most-recognized and talked about California tobacco control ad," the State Department of Health officials said in a statement, according to The Times. "Debi was a pioneer in the fight against tobacco and showed tremendous courage by sharing her story to educate Californians on the dangers of smoking," Dr. Ron Chapman at the agency said in a statement. While parents are sounding off about their appreciation for Austin's message to young people on social media sites, the Austin family is mourning their loss. "True to Debi's spirit, she was a fighter to the end and leaves a big hole in our hearts and lives," Austin's family said in a statement, reported ABC News. "Debi will be remembered fondly by those who love her to be caring, courageous, very funny and always there to offer or lend a hand," the family added. "She was passionate and outspoken about what she believed in and deeply touched all who knew her or heard her story." Ahead of her death last week, Austin had spent the past few years traveling state to state and speaking her anti-smoking ads. She appeared in two more anti-smoking ads that were first released in 2011. The commercials left a lasting impression, one that Austin said she hopes will make young people think before smoking. Read more at http://global.christianpost.com/news/debi-austin-commercial-remebered-in-wake-of-her-death-video-90980/#hqX6z8LdMD7VVlCo.99 AP Photo: Damian Dovarganes." /> Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

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Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

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#1

● 02-28-2013, 07:58 PM

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Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

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February 28, 2013

LOS ANGELES — A woman who smoked a cigarette through a hole in her throat to illustrate her struggle with nicotine addiction in a California public service advertisement has died of cancer, health officials and her family said Wednesday.

Debi Austin died Friday at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, according to family friend and spokesman Jim Walker. She was 62.

Austin first appeared on television in 1996, telling viewers she began smoking at age 13 and could never quit. In a quiet, halting rasp, Austin told the camera, "They say nicotine isn't addictive," before inhaling from a lit cigarette held to a hole in her throat.

"How can they say that?," Austin asked viewers, as cigarette smoke wafted from the hole.

Called a stoma, the hole in her throat allowed her to breathe after her larynx was removed at age 42.

The TV spot was, "the most-recognized and talked about California tobacco control ad," according to the state health department.

"Debi was a pioneer in the fight against tobacco and showed tremendous courage by sharing her story to educate Californians on the dangers of smoking," said Dr. Ron Chapman, who heads the health department. "She was an inspiration for Californians to quit smoking and also influenced countless others not to start."

Four months after the ad, Austin quit smoking—halting a two- to three-pack-a-day habit. She fought various forms of cancer for the rest of her life. She starred in other ads and spent the rest of her life advocating against the use of tobacco.

"True to Debi's spirit, she was a fighter to the end and leaves a big hole in our hearts and lives. Debi will be remembered fondly by those who love her to be caring, courageous, very funny and always there to offer advice or lend a hand," the family's statement said.

*Another Article*

Emma Koonse , Christian Post Reporter

February 28, 2013|11:21 am

Debi Austin, who starred in the famous anti-smoking commercial during the 1990s, died of cancer on Friday.

California's anti-tobacco ad made waves when it first aired in 1996. It featured Austin, who smoked a cigarette through a hole in her throat, in order to demonstrate tobacco's dangers.

Health officials as well as Austin's family said that she died at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles on Friday at the age of 62, reported The Los Angeles Times.

Austin had smoked her first cigarette at the age of 13, and was first diagnosed with cancer at the age of 21. Her intense addiction to nicotine led to the loss of her larynx at the age of 42. Subsequent of that cancer treatment, Austin required a "voicebox" as well as a surgical hole in her throat, through which she swallowed and smoked.

Despite her condition, Austin was unable to kick her addiction to nicotine, but she struck back at cigarette companies. After appearing in the memorable public-awareness campaign, Austin became a powerful advocate against smoking.

After a 20-year battle against cancer, health officials and members of Austin's family are mourning her as "the most-recognized and talked about California tobacco control ad," the State Department of Health officials said in a statement, according to The Times.

"Debi was a pioneer in the fight against tobacco and showed tremendous courage by sharing her story to educate Californians on the dangers of smoking," Dr. Ron Chapman at the agency said in a statement.

While parents are sounding off about their appreciation for Austin's message to young people on social media sites, the Austin family is mourning their loss.

"True to Debi's spirit, she was a fighter to the end and leaves a big hole in our hearts and lives," Austin's family said in a statement, reported ABC News.

"Debi will be remembered fondly by those who love her to be caring, courageous, very funny and always there to offer or lend a hand," the family added. "She was passionate and outspoken about what she believed in and deeply touched all who knew her or heard her story."

Ahead of her death last week, Austin had spent the past few years traveling state to state and speaking her anti-smoking ads. She appeared in two more anti-smoking ads that were first released in 2011. The commercials left a lasting impression, one that Austin said she hopes will make young people think before smoking.

Read more at http://global.christianpost.com/news...8LdMD7VVlCo.99
AP Photo: Damian Dovarganes.

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● 02-28-2013, 09:43 PM

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Re: Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

That's fucking hardcore. That's gonna be me one day:( Better quit soon!

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● 02-28-2013, 09:45 PM

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Re: Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

I remember that ad, it really creeped me out. Brave woman to put herself out there like that. I think she had an impact on some people to quit smoking, so good on her. RIP.

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● 02-28-2013, 11:00 PM

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Re: Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

That is a woman who really loved her fucking cigs. I'm going to show my dad this...he's 56 and just got diagnosed with lung cancer from smoking for the past 45 years this last week.

Glad she finally quit, but I'm sorry that it took her giving her life to get others to save theirs. Damn.

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● 02-28-2013, 11:14 PM

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Re: Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

*I must quit....I must quit....I need to quit....damnit I need a fucking cig....*

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● 02-28-2013, 11:25 PM

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Re: Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

I don't smoke, but, I hope all of you who want to quit are able to do so. It's not easy!

I believe Yul Brynner and Rod Serling both recorded ads about smoking to be shown after their deaths.

Creepy stuff, but, hopefully, it will help someone

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● 02-28-2013, 11:42 PM

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Re: Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

Originally Posted by LadyCPlum ↗

*I must quit....I must quit....I need to quit....damnit I need a fucking cig....*

Try Yoga....

Seriously it worked for me.. and now I'm pretty good and have an above average lung capacity.

Nothing to loose... Worlds of Self Esteem to Gain

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● 03-01-2013, 12:17 AM

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Re: Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

Originally Posted by Spiffyfable ↗

Try Yoga....

Seriously it worked for me.. and now I'm pretty good and have an above average lung capacity.

Nothing to loose... Worlds of Self Esteem to Gain

My doctor wanted to try that Chiantix stuff with me, I said no way on God's green Earth. I suffer from an anxiety disorder, and I've lost both a friend AND one of the young priests at my church (who were both taking antidepressants) to suicide after they started that medication. If I feel the time's right I'll go for the patch or the inhaler....or electronic ciggies.......

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● 03-01-2013, 12:48 AM

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● 03-01-2013, 01:53 AM

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Re: Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

I won't lie, I've had a few cigs in my time, mostly just socially. But my very best friend I think smokes like a pack a day =/

I remember seeing this ad as a kid, and it creeped me out and I didn't fully understand it. But my heart feels heavy to see her gone. She was truly brave, and extremely honest. I loved watching the interview. May she rest in peace

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Woman Who Smoked Through Stoma in Ads Dies

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