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Smoke-free Advocacy

The American Lung Association’s advocacy efforts have fueled the fight against Big Tobacco and the struggle to maintain healthy air quality standards.

By Inland Empire FamilyPublished: October, 2006

The American Lung Association’s advocacy efforts have fueled the fight against Big Tobacco and the struggle to maintain healthy air quality standards. Without the support of an informed and concerned public, these efforts would be lost. We value the input of local advocates who know the importance of clean air for their families.

A growing number of states are taking strong action to protect their citizens by making almost all public places and workplaces smoke free and raising tobacco taxes, according to a report released recently by the American Lung Association.

In its annual update, “State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues, or SLATI (published since 1988), the Lung Association analyzes state lawsenacted in 2005 on smoke-free air, youth access, tobacco taxes and tobacco prevention spending, among other issues. The report is the only resource of its kind in tobacco control today summarizing state tobacco control laws on an annual basis.

“Earlier this year, we issued our American Lung Association Smoke Free Air 2010 Challenge, urging all states to adopt strong smoke-free air laws. SLATI 2005 shows a trend toward more states protecting their citizens from secondhand smoke. We challenge policymakers in every state to do the same,” said John L. Kirkwood, president and CEO of the American Lung Association.

“We also are encouraged that more states are raising tobacco taxes, which makes cigarettes more costly. Higher cigarette prices deter children and youth from starting to smoke and help motivate adult smokers to quit,” he said. Find out more about California’s proposed tax increase on cigarettes, Proposition 86, on yesprop86.com. By increasing taxes on cigarettes, you can help California become a safer place for your family.

You can also make a difference by making your voice heard as a member of the online Advocacy Network. As a member, you will receive “calls for action” that allow you to write elected officials about specific legislation through email. It is fast, easy, and can help make a positive impact for clean air, tobacco prevention, asthma, and other lung health issues. Information: californialung.org.

For more information about advocacy and lung health, please contact the American Lung Association at 800.LUNG.USA or reach our local office at 714.835.5864.

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