"Dancing with the Stars'" Mark Ballas and Mother Shirley Ballas Encourage Smokers to Share Their "Why" for Quitting

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Every smoker has a reason for how they started smoking and why they want to quit. With one of the largest global quit-smoking days approaching, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) and its Nicorette® and NicoDerm® CQ® smoking cessation brands are encouraging smokers to share their "why" for quitting by providing them the "how" at a free What's Your Why?™ Smoke Swap event.

The event will take place in New York's Times Square on Wednesday, May 27, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., anchored by a 20-foot smashed-out cigarette butt. Adult smokers will be encouraged to share and celebrate who or what motivates them to quit – their "why." All smokers who want to jumpstart a quit attempt will receive support from smoking cessation experts and free quit-smoking product and resources, including a starter pack of Nicorette® gum, NicoDerm® CQ® patches or a $10 coupon towards Nicorette® mini Lozenges.

"It is such an inspiration to hear the "why" from smokers who have quit. What we are learning, too, is each "why" is as individual as the person who shares it. But if I had to share the most common one, I would say it's a family member's encouragement. It's invaluable to smokers who have made this life-changing decision," said Lisa Maxwell Anekwe, senior brand manager, Smoking Cessation. "We want to help every smoker in his or her effort to quit by providing tools and resources, like Nicorette® and NicoDerm® CQ®, which have helped millions of smokers all over the world in their quit attempt."(1)

"Dancing with the Stars'" Mark Ballas, who quit smoking more than one year ago, and his mother, world-renowned ballroom dancer and former 40-year smoker Shirley Ballas, will be on site from 2-4 p.m. meeting fans, providing quit tips and taking the stage for a dance demonstration.

"I was very inspired as a child by my mom. So when I put my mind towards quitting smoking, I knew she was going to be the best support and partner. It was the right choice for both of us and we did it together," said Mark Ballas.

"Mark is my world. I would do anything for him – even quitting smoking. When he asked me to do this with him, I couldn't say yes fast enough, but there are still times I struggle with cravings. When that happens, I remind myself of my "why" – being there for Mark and my future grandchildren – and it gives me the strength to remain smoke-free," said Shirley Ballas.

Smokers motivated to quit can join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #whatsyourwhy. For helpful information about quitting and to connect with other smokers interested in quitting, smokers can sign up for our email support program at Quit.com.

Mark and Shirley Ballas are paid spokespersons for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare; however, their opinions and quit experiences are their own. 

About GSK Consumer Healthcare

GSK Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest consumer healthcare companies. Our purpose is to help more people around the world to do more, feel better and live longer with everyday healthcare products. We have a heritage that goes back over 160 years. We own some of the world's best loved healthcare brands, including Sensodyne®, Theraflu®, Excedrin®, Nicorette® and NicoDerm®CQ®, Flonase®, and TUMS®. These brands are successful in over 100 countries around the world because they all show our passion for quality, guaranteed by science. They are inspired by the real wants and needs of the millions of people who walk into pharmacies, supermarkets, market stalls and go on-line all over the world every day, and choose us first.

Our goal is to build a global, growing business we call a Fast Moving Consumer Healthcare (FMCH) company, dedicated to everyday healthcare with all of the scientific expertise and quality guarantees that demands, working at the speed and with the genuine consumer understanding the modern world expects.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: http://www.gsk.com.

(1) GSK Sales Data on File.

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SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

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