and that's why we're at the nuseum. this is the reality. this is the news. this is what smoking brings to people's lives. nearly 90% of smokers begin smoking at a young age, under the age 18. smokers may commonly think they're just going to die a few years younger. and while it's true that smokers die i don't thi they live sicker. big tobacco has spent more than $100 billion on marketing and promotion in recent years to convey that healthy image that secretary sebelius spoke of. now thanks to courageous ex-smokers, we can bring the reality of smoking to smokers and none smokers across the country. the images are not easy to watch. as a physician, it's not easy to care for people dealing with difficult conditions. as individuals it's even harder to live with these conditions day in and day out and yet the smokers who have come forward to tell their stories are living vibrant, healthy, affirming lives and helping other smokers to quit. ads like this work. research by the institute of medicine, the national cancer institute, the community guide, the cochran col