American Lung Association

Statement of Charles D. Connor, American Lung Association President and CEO

(November 17, 2009) -- Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new limits on the toxic air pollutant sulfur dioxide in the outdoor air. This health standard has not been revised since 1971. The American Lung Association welcomes this long overdue action and urges EPA to set a standard at a level that truly protects public health. Inhaling sulfur dioxide (SO2) makes it hard for people with asthma to breathe. High levels of SO2 force people to the emergency room and to hospitals because they have trouble breathing.    » read more »

States not doing enough to help smokers quit

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 10, 2009) -- As the debate over health care reform dominates the media and political arena, a new American Lung Association report finds that states aren't doing enough to help smokers quit – and policymakers must fix this in the health care reform process. In its new report, Helping Smokers Quit: State Cessation Coverage 2009, the American Lung Association advocates for a national prevention and wellness strategy that targets reducing tobacco use by helping smokers quit and preventing them from starting. Key among these strategies is the full coverage of clinically proven smoking cessation treatments for all smokers.    » read more »

American Lung Association Poised to Help Smokers Quit

June 22, 2009 -- Statement of Stephen J. Nolan, American Lung Association National Board Chair:

Today, President Obama signed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (HR 1256) marking a historic day in our fight against lung disease. Finally, after a two-decade long battle, the American Lung Association can join our public health partners in heralding in the day when tobacco companies can no longer prey on America’s kids with deceitful advertising and candy flavored cigarettes.    » read more »

American Lung Association Calls Upon President Obama to Protect Entire Federal Workforce

6/19/2009 -- Statement of Charles D. Connor, American Lung Association President and CEO:

Starting today, a federal smokefree workplace policy takes affect that will protect thousands of workers from the dangers posed by secondhand smoke. The American Lung Association applauds the Government Services Administration (GSA) for issuing this strong policy to ensure a safe and healthy work environment and urges them to ensure smokers have access to get the help they need to quit.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. (May 28, 2009)—The American Lung Association joins the World Health Organization (WHO) in calling attention to the global epidemic of death and disease caused by tobacco use on World No Tobacco Day taking place on Sunday, May 31, 2009.

This year, World No Tobacco Day will focus on the urgent need for graphic health warnings to be placed on all tobacco products in order to reduce the deadly impact tobacco use has on the global community. According to the WHO, tobacco use kills 5.4 million people every year and accounts for one in 10 adult deaths worldwide. In the United States, the tobacco caused death toll ends more than 393,000 lives each year. Another 50,000 American deaths are annually attributed to secondhand smoke exposure.    » read more »

Statement of Charles D. Connor, American Lung Association President and CEO

5/19/2009 -- Like bell bottoms and pet rocks, smoking in public places and workplaces is quickly going the way of the dinosaur—simply another component of American culture near extinction. Today, America’s fast growing smokefree air trend reached the largest tobacco producing state in the nation. North Carolina has adopted a law prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants.

The American Lung Association applauds this historic move made by North Carolina’s Governor Beverly Perdue and the state legislature. We celebrate this new law as a tremendous public health victory that finally opens the doorway to ending Big Tobacco’s chokehold on Southern states.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. (May 4, 2009)— As the confirmed number of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) cases grows in the United States, public concern understandably grows. The American Lung Association wishes to ease public concern by offering proven advice on how to prevent the spread of contagious respiratory illnesses ranging from the common cold to H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu).    » read more »

10TH Annual State of the Air Report Publishes Local Air Quality Grades Online

4/29/2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- The 10th annual American Lung Association State of the Air report released today finds that six out of ten Americans--186.1 million people -- live in areas where air pollution levels endanger lives.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. (March 19, 2009)—Today, South Dakota residents have reason to celebrate. South Dakota is now officially the 24th state in the nation, and the first in 2009, to pass a comprehensive smokefree workplace law protecting virtually everyone from secondhand smoke in public places and workplaces.

The American Lung Association applauds Governor Rounds and South Dakota lawmakers for passing this important legislation that will save hundreds of lives in the next decade alone.

Secondhand smoke kills close to 50,000 Americans annually, according to the U.S. Surgeon, and is the cause of a host of diseases and ailments, including lung cancer, heart disease, SIDS and childhood ear infections.    » read more »

3/11/09 -- Statement from Steven J. Nolan, Chairman of the American Lung Association:

WASHINGTON, D.C., (March 11, 2009) — More than 125 million Americans live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, some of which is caused by emissions from cars, trucks and heavy equipment, which add smog, soot, carcinogens and toxic chemicals to the air we breathe.

The American Lung Association commends AT&T for its considerable efforts to reduce harmful emissions by investing in cleaner fuel alternatives. By transitioning its fleet of vehicles to use hybrid and compressed natural gas technology, AT&T has positioned itself as a corporate leader in the fight for healthier air.    » read more »

March 4, 2009 -- Statement of Charles D. Connor, American Lung Association President and CEO:

Today in Washington, the Congress has moved one big step closer to ending the grip Big Tobacco has on our nation’s health. The U.S. House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee sent the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (HR 1256) to the full House for its consideration. Passage of this important bill will provide the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urgently needed regulatory control over the tobacco industry.    » read more »