American Lung Association To Provide Assistance To Communities In Tobacco Prevention And Cessation Programs

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 09 Jul 2010 - 4:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The American Lung Association will help communities implement tobacco prevention and cessation programs under the Department of Health and Human Services Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) grant program. The association has been awarded a grant to provide technical assistance to government-funded communities to reduce risk factors and promote wellness in both children and adults.

"Cigarette smoking remains by far the most common cause of preventable death and disability in the United States, killing more than 440,000 Americans annually," said Charles D. Connor, president and CEO of the American Lung Association. "Smokers are much more likely than nonsmokers to have chronic diseases such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. This initiative will help communities implement tobacco prevention and cessation policies that will enable residents to live longer, healthier lives."

The National Headquarters of the American Lung Association will provide extensive training, technical assistance, and resources to community leaders to implement evidence and practice-based tobacco control change efforts. Emphasis will be placed on partnerships and strategies to reduce disparities, including working with health systems, major employers, housing organizations and faith communities.

"The American Lung Association has had a national leadership role is supporting successful tobacco control policy, systems and environmental change for over 40 years," added Connor. "This project allows us to share our expertise to make and sustain important changes in even more communities across the nation."

The CPPW program was launched last year to reduce risk factors and prevent chronic disease and promote wellness in both children and adults. The American Lung Association looks forward to its partnership with the CPPW program to help eliminate tobacco use by youth, eliminate exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, promote cessation treatment and deter tobacco use in the population.

Source:
American Lung Association

• Additional
• References
• Citations