On Wednesday, January 25, the American Lung Association in West Virginia will release the 21st annual “State of Tobacco Control” report. Access to the embargoed report and embargoed interviews are available upon request.

 The American Lung Association’s 21st annual “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal efforts to eliminate tobacco use and save lives with proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies. The report will grade West Virginia’s tobacco control measures in five areas, including funding for state tobacco prevention programs, state tobacco taxes, smokefree workplace laws, coverage of and access to services to quit tobacco, and ending the sale of flavored tobacco products.

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in America, killing 480,000 people each year. Currently, 16 million Americans live with a tobacco-related disease. The report not only grades states and the federal government, but also identifies key actions for lawmakers to take to eliminate the death and disease caused by tobacco use.

To request embargoed report findings or an embargoed interview, contact Val Gleason at Val.Gleason@Lung.org or (717) 971-1123.