ATLANTA – Graphic advertisements featuring real stories from those who have suffered serious health problems, including amputated limbs, from smoking is working to help smokers stop, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The $54 million public health campaign has urged 100,000 people to quit — to the tune of $540 per smoker, according to a new report. “Tips From Former Smokers” from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showcased real people with real health problems triggered by smoking. One man had his legs amputated, while another suffered a stroke that left him bedridden. The ad series ran on TV, radio, online and in print for a dozen weeks during the spring of 2012.

A market research firm measured the results of the campaign for the agency’s Office of Smoking and Health. CDC researchers used that data to extrapolate how many individuals in the United States would successful stay smoke-free after the campaign ended.

While it’s difficult to directly tie the graphic campaign with prompting smokers to give up the habit, researchers claimed it was the most probably explanation, given the national quit rate stayed static until the ads ran. Given the success, the agency renewed the campaign for this year, which again ran in the spring.