Association Focuses on Public Policy Priorities

(Public Policy Update, Lung Health News, Spring/Summer 2008)

One of the most effective ways to improve lung health is through advocacy efforts that change laws and regulations. Every year the American Lung Association of California selects public policy priorities that will best advance its mission to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. The association is focusing on legislation and other advocacy activities in the following areas this year.

Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer is the leading cancer killer in the U.S., responsible for more than 160,000 deaths each year. To help address this startling statistic, the association is boosting its advocacy efforts in that area, including supporting legislation that would increase lung cancer research to improve early detection and treatment options.

Health Care Reform

As California scrambles to solve the healthcare crisis, the American Lung Association of California is advocating for the passage of legislation and ballot measures that improve California’s healthcare system. Efforts are focused on increasing access for those without health care as well as providing a low-cost, comprehensive benefits package; a smoking cessation benefit; coverage for those with pre-existing conditions; and chronic disease management. The association will continue to promote a tobacco tax as a way to help finance the expansion of healthcare access and to increase support for existing state tobacco prevention and control programs.

FDA Regulation of Tobacco

Tobacco use is the number one cause of death and disease in this country. The American Lung Association of California is urging Congress to pass federal legislation giving the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate tobacco products, which would help reduce tobacco marketing aimed at children; require changes in tobacco products to make them less harmful and less addictive; restrict advertising and promotions; prohibit unsubstantiated health claims about so-called “reduced-risk” tobacco products; require the disclosure of tobacco product content; and require larger and more informative health warnings on tobacco products.

Global Warming

Rising temperatures caused by global warming will most likely lead to more air pollution and other serious threats to lung health. The American Lung Association of California is continuing to play an active role in the implementation of Assembly Bill 32 (Nunez/Pavley), landmark legislation the association helped secure in 2006 that establishes a statewide cap on greenhouse gas emissions. The association is pushing for regulations, incentives and other measures to reduce emissions from transportation, industry, local government and other sectors; the development and adoption of early action regulations to achieve greenhouse gas reductions in the near term; and the development of a strong statewide plan to achieve AB 32 greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Alternative Fuels

Alternative fuels not only help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, but also our dependence on foreign oil. The American Lung Association of California is continuing to advocate for a strong low-carbon fuel standard to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels while maintaining air quality protections; a strong Zero Emission Vehicle program; and effective implementation of AB 118 (Nunez, D-Los Angeles), which provides $200 million per year in new funds for research, development and deployment of alternative fuels and for air quality improvement programs until 2015.

Diesel Pollution Reduction

Diesel exhaust is a toxic air contaminant that can increase the risk of lung cancer and premature death. The association is continuing to push for legislation and regulations to reduce diesel emissions, including Senate Bill 974 (Lowenthal, D-Long Beach), which would establish container fees at major California ports to fund diesel-reduction programs; new rules to control diesel pollution from trucks, school buses and port sources, including trucks, ships and ground equipment at ports; and health-protective guidelines for the expenditure of $1 billion in transportation infrastructure bond funding for air quality improvements in the goods movement industry and $200 million in funds for cleaner school buses. The association is urging the California Air Resources Board to adopt a proposed diesel truck regulation – the air board’s largest undertaking to date to reduce harmful exposure to diesel.