Washington, D.C. (January 7, 2013)—

WHAT:  The American Lung Association is releasing the results of its eleventh annual "State of Tobacco Control" report which tracks progress on key tobacco control policies at the federal and state level, assigning grades based on whether laws are adequately protecting citizens from tobacco-caused disease.  This year's report follows the trail of money misused by policymakers and strategically invested by Big Tobacco leading to the enormous toll tobacco use takes on lives and the economy.

WHERE:  Website for "State of Tobacco Control 2013" report will be updated with new data, www.stateoftobaccocontrol.org, at 5 a.m. (ET) on January 16, 2013

WHEN:  Prior to the public release on January 16, 2013, at 5 a.m. (ET), embargoed interviews are available upon request

WHO:  Thomas A. Carr, American Lung Association Director of National Policy and lead author of "State of Tobacco Control 2013"    Erika Sward, American Lung Association Assistant Vice President of National Advocacy                 HOW: To schedule an embargoed interview, contact Mary Havell McGinty, mary.havell@lung.org or 202-715-3459

WHY:  Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.  It costs the American public almost $200 billion every year in healthcare costs and lost productivity and wages.  Find out how states and the federal government are failing to protect youth from starting to smoke and help current smokers end their deadly addiction.

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About the American Lung Association Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is “Fighting for Air” through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lung.org.