The American Lung Association of California offers many volunteer and staff spokespeople who can address air pollution and health effects; asthma; tobacco control and tuberculosis, in addition to many other lung health issues.

The American Lung Association can provide various types of news sources: physicians, nurses, pulmonary specialists, air quality specialists, people living with various lung diseases, local businesses involved in lung health issues and other newsworthy connections. In addition, we have fact sheets on numerous lung health issues.

If you are looking for a specific spokesperson or need assistance with news leads and/or story development, please call Andy Weisser, Vice President, Communications at (818) 703-6444 or via e-mail: aweisser@earthlink.net. Or, you can automatically be connected to your local office of the American Lung Association by calling (800) LUNG-USA.

You can also complete this online inquiry form to receive news releases from the ALA. We publish additional information in our Free Monthly Email Newsletter. For FREE b-roll and related print media for American Lung Association related content, click here. 80 Percent of Calabasas Voters Support Second Hand Smoke Ordinance One Year After Passage.

Current News Releases

• April 17 , 2008: New Report Shows Tobacco Money Flows to Campaigns, Lobbying
  
  
• March 13, 2008: While Statewide TB Cases Decrease, TB Cases Increase in 16 Local California Health Jurisdictions
  
  
• February 11, 2008: Most Los Angeles and Orange County Cities Fail to Protect Citizens with Smoke-free Air Laws
  
  
• January 29, 2008: American Lung Association of California Gives Failing Grades To 70% of Bay Area Cities and Counties For Smoke Free Laws
  
  
• January 28, 2008: New Study Shows Fully Funded Tobacco Control Programs Reduce Number of Smokers
  
  
• January 9, 2008: California Gets Mixed Grades in Tobacco Report Card
  
  
• December 24, 2007: Smoke-Free Cars: New Law Takes Effect January 1, 2008
  
  
• November 6, 2007: Nation’s Fourth Leading Killer is a Lung Disease You May Have Never Heard About
  
  
• October 24, 2007: American Lung Association of California Grants $725,000 to Lung Disease Research
  
  
• August 24, 2007: American Lung Association of California Awards Lung Health Leaders
  
  
• August 23, 2007: Negative Trends in Lung Disease Affecting Diverse Populations
  
  
• August 20, 2007: Red Flag Raised for Millions of Kids with Asthma Heading Back to School
  
  
• July 19, 2007: Tobacco Interests Spend More than $68 Million to Influence California Elections and Legislative Policy
  
  
• July 3, 2007: Gwendolyn Young and Jim Wilgus: New State Leaders
  
  
• June 21, 2007: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle: A Tobacco Tax Is Key to Health Care Reform
  
  
• June 21, 2007: 80 Percent of Calabasas Voters Support Second Hand Smoke Ordinance One Year After Passage
  
  
• May 1, 2007: 26 California Counties Fail American Lung Association’s Annual Nationwide State of the Air Clean Air Test; Los Angeles and Riverside Top Bad Air Lists Nationwide; Salinas Only California City on Cleanest List
  
  
• April 19, 2007: Free Transportation Offered to Los Angeles Respiratory Health Conference -- American Lung Association of California Conference for People with Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  
  
• March 22 , 2007: Although Statewide and Nationwide TB Cases Decrease, TB Cases Increase in 20 Local California Areas -- American Lung Association of California Urges Investment in Prevention Efforts on World Stop TB Day, March 24
  
  
• January 9, 2007: Lung Association Report Shows Poor Grades for California’s Cigarette Tax Rate and Tobacco Control and Prevention Spending
  
  
• November 14 , 2006: Consumer Product Alert:
  Take Ozone-Emitting Air Cleaning Devices Off Your Gift List
  
  
• September 25, 2006: American Lung Association of California Grants Nearly $700,000 to Lung Disease Research
  
  
• September 21, 2006: First-ever Survey of California's Latino Renters Shows High Rates of Exposure to Drifting Tobacco Smoke Despite Home Smoking Bans
  
  
• September 13, 2006: More than 4.5 Million Californians Would Be Left Vulnerable To Deadly Pollution Under Weak EPA Plan, Lung Association Warns
  
  
• September 2006: Free COPD Conferences Offered Statewide
  
  
• August 31, 2006: Global Warming Bill Passes California Legislature
  
  
• August 22, 2006: Asthma Tops School Health Issues But Not Parents’ Back-To-School Priorities According To American Lung Association Poll
  
  
• June 27, 2006: U.S. Surgeon General Report Confirms Health Consequences of Secondhand Smoke
  
  
• May 2, 2006: Nearly 5 Million Californians Have Asthma,
  Costing $1.3 Billion for Hospitalizations and Medications Annually
  
  
• April 27, 2006: 28 California Counties Fail American Lung Association’s Annual State of the Air Clean Air Test; Kern and Riverside Counties Top Bad Air Lists Nationwide; Salinas on Cleanest List
  
  
• March 8, 2006: American Lung Association Calls on EPA to Strengthen Particle Pollution Protections for All Americans
  
  
• January 31, 2006: American Lung Association of California Restructures
  
  
• January 10, 2006: Lung Association Report Shows Poor Grades for California’s Cigarette Tax Rate and Tobacco Control and Prevention Spending
  
  
• December 13, 2005: Health Care Advocates Pursue Joint Tobacco Tax Initiative for November 2006
  
  
• September 27, 2005: American Lung Association of California Grants Nearly $1 Million to Lung Disease Research
  


• April 28, 2005: 32 California Counties Fail American Lung Association’s Annual State of the Air Clean Air Test; 31.6 Million Californians Threatened by Dangerous Ozone and/or Particle Pollution Levels
  


• March 24, 2005: Although Statewide and Nationwide TB Cases Decrease, More Cases Seen in 14 Local California Areas
  


• February 1, 2005: California State Income Tax Return Allows California Taxpayers to Donate to Asthma and Lung Disease Research
  


• January 6, 2005: American Lung Association Report Cites California’s Smoke-free Air and Youth Tobacco Laws Among Best in the Country --State Continues to Fall Short on Tobacco Control and Prevention Spending and Cigarette Tax Rate
  


• December 29, 2004: New Law Enables Children to Carry and Self-Administer Asthma Medication at Schools
  


• December 29, 2004: American Lung Association’s Free Online Quit Smoking Program Helps People With New Year’s Resolutions
  


• November 17, 2004: Free Care Packages Encourage People to Learn about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  


• October 2 , 2004: State Ballot Initiatives: November 2, 2004 Election
  


• September 24, 2004: American Lung Association of California Statement by John Balmes, MD Regarding California Air Resources Board's Decision to Adopt Global Warming Air Pollution Regulation
  


• September 23, 2004: Flu Shot Locator on American Lung Association’s californialung.org Aims to Reduce Infections, Death as Flu Season is about to Begin --Flu May Lead to Dangerous Complications but Still Too Few Receive Shots
  


• September 21, 2004: American Lung Association of California Urges Tough, New Global Warming Regulations to Improve Public Health --Public Opinion, Health Professionals and Thousands of Public Letters Reflect Strong Support for Landmark Regulations
  


• September 15, 2004: Asthma Bill of Rights Helps California Children with Asthma Through Parents and Teachers
  


• September 7, 2004 : Poll Shows Strong Support for Smoke-Free Apartments
  


• August 31, 2004: Former San Bruno Councilman and San Diego Pulmonary Doctor to Lead American Lung Association of California and California Thoracic Society
  


• August 8, 2004: American Lung Association of California Grants $732,000 to 19 Researchers at 10 California Institutions
  


• June 30, 2004: New Report Shows Tobacco Company Campaign Contributions to California Legislators
  
  
• June 29, 2004: Most Local Tobacco Settlement Funds Not Spent on Tobacco Prevention
  
  
• June 14, 2004: Air Resources Board’s Global Warming and Clean Cars Proposal Applauded by American Lung Association of California
  
  
• May 27, 2004: Global Warming Concerns and Need for Cleaner Cars Rank High on Statewide Public Opinion Poll
  
  
• April 29 , 2004: 34 California Counties Flunk American Lung Association’s Annual Clean Air Test for Smog and First-Ever Tests for Particle Pollution
  American Lung Association of California Fights Roll-Back of Federal Clean Air Act That Would Increase Pollution; 30.3 Million California Residents Threatened by Dangerous Particle Pollution Levels
  
  
• March 25, 2004: Diesel Engine Systems Designed to Disable Air Pollution Reduction Technology
  
  
• March 24, 2004: California TB Cases Increase as Nationwide TB Cases Decrease --More Cases Seen in 28 Local Areas
  
  
• February 19, 2004: American Lung Association of California Convenes Health Network for Clean Air Meeting in Fresno
  
  
• January 6, 2004: American Lung Association Report Cites California's Smoke-free Air and Youth Tobacco Laws Among Best in the Country State Falls Short on Tobacco Control and Prevention Spending and Cigarette Tax Rate
  
 
• December 29, 2003: California's Tough New Smoking Restrictions Help More People Breathe Easier Public Building Entryways Provide Smoke-Free Buffer, Protect Public from Secondhand Smoke Exposure
  
 
• September 26, 2003: Vote NO on Proposition 54, Advises American Lung Association of California So-called "racial privacy initiative" will block collection and use of important health information to help combat diseases.
  
 
• September 25, 2003: Blow the Whistle on Asthma American Lung Association Calls on Californians to Join 13 Statewide Asthma Walks and Fight the Asthma Epidemic
  
 
• September 22, 2003: American Lung Association Honors Statewide Leaders in the Fight Against Lung Disease. State Assembly Member Wilma Chan Receives President's Award. Other Recipients from Los Angeles, Riverside and Santa Rosa
  
 
• September 10, 2003: Asthma at School is Disruptive to Routine, Underdiagnosed and Often Poorly Understood, Survey Suggests American Lung Association and National Association of School Nurses Call on Parents, Schools and Health Care Providers to Establish Asthma Action Plans
   
• August 27, 2003: American Lung Association of California Awards More Than $725,000 to Researchers American Lung Association of California Fights Lung Disease with Research -- Organization Funds 21 Researchers Hoping to Find Better Treatments and Possibly a Cure
   
• July 29, 2003: Cigarette Smuggling in California Overstated, New Study Says
  New UCSF Study Sharply Differs from State Board of Equalization Estimated Revenue Losses -- Propose Legislative Hearing to Address Impact of Cigarette Smuggling
   
• July 15, 2003: Oppose Senate and Assembly Republican Budget Proposals’ Attack on California’s Public Health and Environment
  Statement of Bonnie Holmes-Gen, Assistant V.P., Government Relations
   
• July 3, 2003: San Diego and San Francisco Lung Health Leaders Elected to Statewide Positions
  Strengthening Organizations is Key to Fighting Lung Disease
    

News Release Archive

• June 17, 2003: Enviro, Health Groups Ask Bush EPA to Hold Firm on Proposed Rule
  Nearly 40 Percent of LA’s Soot from Mobile Sources Comes from Diesel Bulldozers, Ships, and Other Heavy Equipment

  Related Link: Proposed EPA Regulations For Non-road Diesel Engines and Fuel: Comments of American Lung Association of California
  Los Angeles, California, June 17, 2003

• May 29, 2003: World No Tobacco Day, May 31 -- Carol Burnett, Merrin Dungey, Other Diverse Ads Promote American Lung Association’s Free Online Quit Smoking Program
  Production Company Angelsmith Donates Entire Campaign
• May 1, 2003: 28 California Counties Receive F Grades for Ozone Air Pollution According to State of the Air Report
  American Lung Association Raises Awareness About Cleaner Transportation Options during Clean Air Month in May
• April 28, 2003: Coalition Proposes Earmarked Tobacco Tax
  A Cure for Unhealthy Budget and Unhealthy Addiction
• April 28, 2003: California Fights For Clean Air
  New Bill Rejects Bush Administration Plan to Allow More Industry Pollution
• April, 2003: American Lung Association Raises Awareness About Cleaner Transportation Options During Clean Air Month in May
  "Clean Air is Everyone’s Business: Cleaner Options are Here Now"
• March 27, 2003: American Lung Association of California Calls on Air Resources Board to Uphold Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate
  Testimony presented March 27, 2003
• March 24, 2003: Although Slight Decrease in Tuberculosis Cases in California, American Lung Association of California Cautions Against Relaxing Prevention Efforts
  World TB Day, March 24, 2003
• January 27, 2003 - RE: "Re-writing The Rules, Year-End Report 2002; The Bush Administration’s Assault on the Environment" By Natural Resources Defense Council -- Statement by the American Lung Association of California Assistant V.P., Government Relations
• January 10, 2003 -Statement of the American Lung Association of California Regarding Gov. Davis’ Proposed $1.10/pack Tobacco Tax
• January 10, 2003 -Statement of the California Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Alliance in Response to Initial Statement of Reasons, 2003 Proposed Amendments to the California ZEV Regulation
• January 7, 2003 -National Report Card Gives California Low Grades for Anti-Smoking Campaign -- American Lung Association Calls on Governor, Legislature to Raise Tobacco Tax to Fight Big Tobacco, Help Smokers Quit
• December 27, 2002 -Carol Burnett Promotes American Lung Association’s Free Online Smoking Cessation Program, Just in Time for New Year’s Resolutions -- Production Company Angelsmith Donates Entire Campaign
• October 17, 2002 -American Lung Association of California Funds Lung Disease Research Projects -- Basic Research Unlocks Mysteries of Lung Disease
• October 2, 2002 -American Lung Association Honors Statewide Leaders in the Fight Against Lung Disease -- State Senator Deborah Ortiz Receives President’s Award -- Other Recipients from Fresno, Los Angeles, Oakland and Pomona
• October 1, 2002 -American Lung Association Applauds Governor for Signing Indoor Air Pollution Legislation -- Will Help Reduce Breathing Problems
• September 27, 2002 -American Lung Association Applauds Governor for Signing Important Smog Check II Bill -- Legislation Will Reduce Bay Area Smog Drift Into Central Valley
• September 12, 2002 -Blow the Whistle on Asthma -- American Lung Association Calls on Californians to Join 10 Statewide Asthma Walks and Fight the Asthma Epidemic
• September 3, 2002 -Illegal Sale of Cigarettes to Children Increases in California -- Health groups urge retailers to be held accountable
• August 2, 2002 -Bay Area Respiratory Therapist and Pulmonary Physician Spearhead Lung Health Efforts as American Lung Association of California’s New Volunteer Leaders -- New Officers Assume Leadership Positions
• July 9, 2002 - American Lung Association Launches Statewide Ad Campaign to Promote Local Licensing of Tobacco Retailers -- Tobacco Company Tactics to Stall Licensing Efforts Described as ‘Fox Guarding Hen House’
• July 8, 2002 - Health and anti-tobacco groups launch ad campaign to press Gov. Davis and Legislature to restore state’s tobacco control program and stop pro-tobacco budget companion bill
  (LISTEN to the radio ad!)
• June 20, 2002 - Comments of Bonnie Holmes-Gen on Review of the California Ambient Air Quality Standards For Particulate Matter and Sulfates" -- Testimony of the American Lung Association of California Assistant V.P., Government Relations Before the California Air Resources Board
• May 15, 2002 - Five Local Governments Commit to Purchase Cleaner Vehicles American Lung Association of California Pushes for More
  -- Statewide Campaign Raises Awareness about Diesel Exhaust, Particulate Matter and Cleaner Alternatives during Clean Air Month
• May 1, 2002 - 34 California Counties Flunk Annual American Lung Association Clean Air Test -- State of the Air 2002 Highlights "F" Grades for 400 Counties Throughout U.S. and Nation’s Need to Enforce Clean Air Act
• March 20, 2002 - Health and Anti-Tobacco Organizations Push Hike in Cigarette Tax
• March 21, 2002 -Increasing Numbers of Tuberculosis Cases in California Prompt American Lung Association of California Request to Bolster Funding--"Don’t Turn Back the Clock on TB"
• March 1, 2002 -American Lung Association Ad Asks Communities Where They Stand in Fight Against Tobacco Use--‘Is Your Community on a Healthy Track…or Has it Derailed’

  Archives 1998-2001