Press Room

Anti-smoking Activist Rick Stoddard on WSRE's Conversations with Jeff Weeks

Pensacola, Fla. — On Thursday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m., WSRE’s “Conversations with Jeff Weeks” welcomes anti-smoking activist Rick Stoddard.

Rick Stoddard first captured national attention with a 2001 Super Bowl commercial, telling the country about his wife Marie’s death from lung cancer caused by cigarette smoking at the age of 46. As he proclaimed in his commercial, “I guess I never thought of 23 as middle aged.” In the wake of his wife’s death, Rick became an emotional and captivating speaker to youth and adults about the dangers of tobacco use and the manipulative marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. On this episode of Conversations, Stoddard shares his very personal and moving story on how and why he has become one of the most recognizable voices in the campaign to stop smoking. Stoddard’s interview with Jeff is honest and powerful, showing how he has turned a personal tragedy into a genuine passion to help others see the dangers of smoking. To see the commercial, visit RickStoddard.com.

“Conversations with Jeff Weeks” airs as part of WSRE’s all-local evening programming block, Explore More Thursdays. The Thursday night lineup airs 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and also features series “In Your Own Backyard” hosted by Sherri Hemminghaus Weeks, local documentaries and music program “StudioAmped.” For more information, visit www.wsre.org/ExploreMore.

About WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast
WSRE is a PBS member station that is locally owned and licensed to the Pensacola State College Board of Trustees operating as a service of Pensacola State College. The public broadcasting station has been serving the needs of the Gulf Coast community through programming, educational services and outreach since 1967. WSRE produces, acquires and distributes programs that address local interests and reflect the diverse cultural, political, geographic and demographic characteristics of its audience. The Educational Services unit for WSRE serves as the connection to teachers, parents, caregivers and children to extend the rich resources found in public television. For more information about WSRE, its services, programs or available resources, visit wsre.org.

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