Quit smoking: Most important decision

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ATLANTA, May 22 (UPI) -- It's not easy to quit smoking, but it could be the most important decision anybody ever makes, U.S. health officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta began a new campaign -- Tips from Former Smokers -- to show just how harsh tobacco can be, via smoking or by secondhand smoke.

"Quitting smoking, or never starting, is so vital to your health," CDC officials said in a statement. "For example, Suzy was 15 when she started smoking. When she was 57 she suffered a stroke."

Most know that people could get cancer from smoking, but some might not know smoking is also linked to heart disease, stroke, asthma and other diseases, the CDC said.

"Apparently, a lot of people don't know smoking can cause a stroke," Suzy said. "It can. It caused mine. I used to love to travel. Now, I can't leave the house by myself. And I can't drive anymore."

CDC offers free resources to help people to quit smoking.