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Current Issue:

Breath Matters
The American Lung Association of California's Monthly e-Newsletter
November 28, 2007 Number 154
http://www.californialung.org

Content:

Find Your Nearest Flu Clinic Location
Billboard Tallying Smoking Deaths Celebrates 20 Years
Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports Pass Truck Tariff
Open Airways for Schools Expands in Los Angeles
Dangers of Hookah Bars Highlighted in Los Angeles Times
Goldman Grant Supports Global Warming Awareness Campaign
Association Participates in Solar and Green Holiday Gift Fest
Research Study Examines COPD and Bacteria
Celebrate the Holidays With a Donation
Tell a Friend

MONTHLY HEALTH TIP

Find Your Nearest Flu Clinic Location Protect yourself from influenza, also known as the flu, by getting your flu vaccination this fall. To find the location nearest you, visit www.californialung.org and enter your zip code in the Flu Clinic Locator box.

BILLBOARD TALLYING SMOKING DEATHS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

The American Lung Association of California participated in a news conference on November 15 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the infamous �Smoking Deaths� billboard located on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles and unveil a new board. Association volunteers Gwendolyn Young, board chair, and Mim Long, a Freedom From Smoking� Online success story who started smoking as a teen, spoke out about the dangers of tobacco use and were joined by representatives from the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.

The billboard keeps a tally of smoking deaths, adding another death about every 90 seconds. Since its construction in 1987, the billboard has had a tremendous impact. It has been replicated in other cities, including Albuquerque and Minneapolis, and was even featured in the 2003 blockbuster hit �The Italian Job.�

For more information, contact Andy Weisser at 818.703.6444 or aweisser@alac.org

LOS ANGELES AND LONG BEACH PORTS PASS TRUCK TARIFF

The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach recently passed a truck tariff that will incrementally remove the dirtiest trucks from ports. Supported by the American Lung Association of California, the tariff will cut air pollution from short-haul trucks working in the harbor by nearly 80 percent within five years.

The tariff will gradually limit access to all but the cleanest vehicles. The oldest, dirtiest vehicles will be prohibited beginning in October 2008. By January 2010, 1989-1993 trucks will be banned along with 1994-2003 trucks that have not been retrofitted. By January 2012, all trucks that do not meet the 2007 federal standard will be prohibited from entering the ports.

For more information, contact Colleen Callahan at 213.384.5864 or ccallahan@alac.org

OPEN AIRWAYS FOR SCHOOLS EXPANDS IN LOS ANGELES

The American Lung Association�s asthma management program Open Airways for Schools is expanding in the Los Angeles area thanks to the help of 13 respiratory care students at El Camino College who have been trained to teach the program. Already offered at 14 schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the program will expand to 16 additional schools. Five elementary schools in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District are also adding the program.

For more information, contact Katie Van Cleave at 213.384.5864 or kvancleave@alac.org

DANGERS OF HOOKAH BARS HIGHLIGHTED IN LOS ANGELES TIMES

A November 12 Los Angeles Times article on hookah bars featured several quotes from American Lung Association of California staffer Paul Knepprath, who highlighted the dangers associated with the disturbing new trend.

Hookah bars provide a social setting for smoking tobacco through water pipes. It is the first new tobacco-use trend in the 21st century and comes after years of declining tobacco consumption. Also alarming is that California has the largest number of hookah bars in the nation, totaling about 90.

�One of the concerns the American Lung Association has about any kind of social smoking is that it�s a possible gateway to cigarette smoking,� Knepprath told the Los Angeles Times.

To read the complete article, visit http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-hookah12nov12,1,7014837.story?coll=la-headlines-health

To learn more about the alarming trend, check out the related report by the American Lung Association at http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/s/content.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=34706&ct=3637143

For more information, contact Paul Knepprath at 916.554.5864 or pknepprath@alac.org

GOLDMAN GRANT SUPPORTS GLOBAL WARMING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

The American Lung Association of California received a $50,000 grant from the Goldman Fund to encourage local support for greenhouse gas reductions required under AB 32, landmark legislation that set limits on emissions that contribute to global warming. The grant will support efforts to raise awareness in communities across the state about the need for local governments to adopt policies that will help reduce these emissions. The Goldman Fund is based in San Francisco and provides grants to statewide and grassroots environmental programs.

For more information, contact Linda Weiner at 415.282.8871 or linwiner@earthlink.net

ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATES IN SOLAR AND GREEN HOLIDAY GIFT FEST

The American Lung Association of California is participating in �Renewable LA: The First Annual Solar Open House and Green Holiday Gift Fest� on December 8 in Van Nuys. Roof-top tours of one of San Fernando Valley�s largest solar installations will highlight the free eco-fest, which will be held at American Hi Definition, 7635 Airport Business Park Way. The event will feature seminars, clean-car test rides, a film screening, family fun and �consumption-lite� holiday shopping.

As an exhibitor at the event, the American Lung Association of California will have a booth and be featured as one of the organizations people looking to curb their over-consumption during the holidays can support as part of their holiday giving. Instead of giving dad another tie he doesn�t need, for example, attendees will be encouraged to donate to a list of environmental organizations on behalf of loved ones.

To learn more about Renewable L.A, visit www.renewablela.org

For more information, contact Colleen Callahan at 213.384.5864 or ccallahan@alac.org

RESEARCH STUDY EXAMINES COPD AND BACTERIA

Bacteria are thought to be responsible for up to half of all COPD episodes, however, little is known about the types and dynamics of bacteria in the airways. A researcher at the University of California, San Francisco, is trying to change that be examining the types of bacteria present when people with COPD develop symptoms.

Susan Lynch, Ph.D., is one of 10 researchers funded by the American Lung Association of California in 2007-2008. For information about projects funded in 2006-2007, visit http://www.californialung.org/press/071024Research.html

CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH A DONATION Honor loved ones this holiday season by making a donation in their name. It offers a simple way to add meaning to the gift-giving season. Visit http://californialung.org/donate/donate.html

TELL A FRIEND Forward this e-newsletter to friends, family and business contacts. Encourage them to subscribe for free at http://www.californialung.org. Signing up is easy. Just enter your e-mail address at the upper left corner of the Web site homepage below the logo.

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