Debi Austin American, heavy smoker Country: USA

1. Debbie Austin: A Biography
2. The Anti-Smoking Campaign
3. The Commercial
4. The Final Days

Debbie Austin: A Biography

Debbie Austin, an American woman and a dedicated smoker, lost her larynx at the age of 42. Following the operation, she had to breathe through a hole in her throat. Unfortunately, even after the surgery, Austin continued smoking. The harmful effects of smoking are well-known to everyone, including smokers themselves. Despite various attempts by health ministries in different countries to discourage people from this destructive addiction, there has been little impressive success. However, the efforts to raise awareness continue, with anti-smoking campaigns featuring unpleasant images of damaged lungs caused by nicotine and tar being regularly released.

The Anti-Smoking Campaign

Debbie Austin became the main character of one of the most well-known anti-smoking commercials in California. In the commercial, she would take a puff from a cigarette and exhale smoke through the hole in her throat. Austin started smoking at a relatively young age of 13 and despite her efforts, she could not quit. After losing her larynx at the age of 42, she understood that it would not be the only health problem caused by tobacco in the future. Although this realization did not make her quit smoking, it sparked an interesting idea in her mind. Austin decided to star in a social advertisement with the hope of saving someone from the clutches of smoking, if not herself.

The Commercial

The commercial featuring Austin was shot with a simple script. Looking into the camera, she would say, "They say nicotine is not addictive..." while she inhaled through the hole in her throat. After this, Austin would add, "How can they say that?" It is difficult to accurately assess the impact of the advertisement with Debbie Austin on California smokers, but it is known that just four months after filming, Austin was finally able to overcome her nicotine addiction. Unfortunately, after years of smoking, the damage caused by nicotine had already taken its toll on Austin's health. Throughout the rest of her life, she battled various forms of cancer. Austin showed immense strength and resilience as she fought, but ultimately, cancer proved to be stronger.

The Final Days

On February 22, 2013, Debbie Austin passed away at the Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, Los Angeles. She was 62 years old at the time of her death.