Terrie Hall speaks from experience about the harmful effects of smoking

This week, a 52-year-old Lexington, N.C., grandmother will receive the Surgeon General’s Medallion, one of the highest honors in public health. 

You'll recognize Terrie Hall from the startling anti-smoking commercials she has appeared in as part of the "Tips from Former Smokers" national tobacco education campaign. 

A lifelong smoker, Hall developed mouth cancer and throat cancer that led to surgery to remove her larynx. She has a permanent stoma, or hole in her throat, and a voice prosthesis that must be replaced every few years.

She'll will receive the award in a ceremony Wednesday morning in Washington.

Here's a link to the story I wrote about her last year:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/21/3257516/nc-woman-sends-anti-smoking-message.html