Tobacco Control Report Card for California to Be Released

AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION IN CALIFORNIA GRADED MORE THAN 400 OF THE STATE'S CITIES AND COUNTIES

RICHMOND, Calif., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- American Lung Association in California (ALAC) will join civic leaders, medical professionals and local residents to release its third annual State of Tobacco Control report card for cities and counties throughout the state of California. The ALAC report coincides with the release of the State of Tobacco Control 2009 national report card that grades the federal government, the 50 other states and DC.

    WHO:              Jane Warner, President and CEO of ALAC
                      Richmond Mayor Gayle McLaughlin
                      Richmond Council Member Tom Butt
                      Public health and housing experts
                      Richmond resident and lung health advocate

    WHERE:            Richmond City Hall
                      450 Civic Center Plaza
                      Richmond, CA 94804

    WHAT:             The report card grades how well each city and county
                      is protecting its residents against the deadly toll of
                      tobacco. ALAC graded 407 municipalities (373 cities, 34
                      counties) based on local ordinances for smoke-free
                      outdoor air, smoke-free housing and reducing sales of
                      tobacco products.

    WHEN:             January 12, 2010
                      10:00 a.m.

The American Lung Association in California issues the local grades annually in order to increase public knowledge about local laws and policies that help protect residents from the deadly toll of tobacco, to recognize local leadership on the issues and to encourage local leaders to implement change where it is needed.

The full report, regional analysis, fact sheets and other media materials including video and audio files will be made available at www.californialung.org/sotc-ca-local on Jan. 12 at 10:30 a.m. Interested media can also schedule interviews with local experts.

The State of Tobacco Control 2009 report grades the federal government, all 50 states and the District of Columbia against established scientific standards in four key tobacco control areas: smoke-free air laws, cigarette tax rate, tobacco prevention and control program funding and coverage of cessation treatments and services.

Reporters are invited to participate in an embargoed webinar/teleconference with representatives from the national American Lung Association scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (PST), Monday, January 11, 2010. Pre-registration is required. To obtain access information, please contact Mary Havell at [email protected].

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education and advocacy. For more information call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lungusa.org.

SOURCE American Lung Association in California