Sep 20, 2013 01:15 PM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest anti-smoking campaign has inspired an estimated 1.6 million Americans to try to quit smoking, according to a press release.

The national "Tips From Former Smokers" ad campaign, launched in 2012, caused 200,000 smokers to quit immediately. Of those, researchers for the CDC expect 100,000 to quit permanently. In its study, the CDC said it expected 50,000 to quit for good as a result of the ads.

For the study, CDC researchers surveyed thousands of adult smokers in America before and after the campaign from March to June, 2012. They found that the commercials' emotional impact and real-life scenarios were very effective in reaching smokers.

The commercials depicted people who were living with diseases and conditions caused by years of smoking, followed by displaying a toll free number, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, for 24/7 support.

"This is exciting news. Quitting can be hard, and I congratulate and celebrate with former smokers - this is the most important step you can take to a longer, healthier life," said CDC director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "I encourage anyone who tried to quit to keep trying - it may take several attempts to succeed."

The campaign was also far-reaching to all Americans, not just those who smoke. About 80 percent of smokers reported seeing one of the commercials, while 75 percent of non-smokers did also. Researchers found that the commercials incited conversations among millions of Americans about the dangers of smoking, as well as referrals to quitting services.

During the campaign, calls to the advertised quit line more than doubled and visits to the website increased five-fold.

"Hard-hitting campaigns like 'Tips From Former Smokers' are great investments in public health," said lead author Tim McAfee, M.D., M.P.H., director of the CDC Office on Smoking and Health. "This study shows that we save a year of life for less than $200. That makes it one of the most cost-effective prevention efforts."

The study was published Friday in the medical journal the Lancet. After the 2012 campaign, the CDC ran another set of "Tips" ads in 2013, the results of its impact expected later this year, and will run another set in 2014.

Jan. 2014 will mark the 50th anniversary of the first ever Surgeon General's report about on smoking, which linked it to lung cancer.

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