American Lung Association

TODAY, IT IS generally accepted that cigarette smoking can lead to lung cancer. It took the work of many members of the American Lung Association (ALA) to convince society of this fact, and the ALA is still working at it. The ALA is the oldest volunteer health organization in the United States. It was founded in 1904 with the specific goal of fighting tuberculosis. Since then, the focus has spread to fighting all lung diseases, with an emphasis on asthma, tobacco control, and environmental risks to lung health.

The mission of the ALA is deceptively concise—to prevent lung disease and to promote lung health. In 1904, the association was called the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, evolving into the ALA in 1973. In 1960, the association declared, “Cigarette smoking is a major cause of lung cancer.”

Today, the ALA has a broad range of antismoking and smoking-cessation programs, targeted at different age populations, as well as community-wide programs. One such program is Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU), wherein teenagers teach children age 9 to 12 years why not to smoke and how to live tobacco-free. Teens who do smoke can participate in N-O-T (Not on Tobacco), a program to help them quit smoking. The Freedom from Smoking program is to help any smoker to quit. It is carried out in a group setting and relies on [Page 43]peer support. Smokers who want to quit are taught to rely on each other to overcome their addiction.

The ALA has a broad range of antismoking and smoking-cessation programs, targeted at different age populations

The ALA also works with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce and, if possible, remove risks of environmental tobacco exposure. The association was principally involved in the outlawing of cigarette use on U.S. airplanes.

Other activities of the ALA include educating the public about the risks of tobacco use. In addition, the association recognizes specific ethnic or cultural populations that are at statistically greater risk for lung disease. Education programs are then targeted to these populations, which may not otherwise receive equal education about their risks. Active efforts are made to educate the public about lung health, including the use of websites, news releases, and brochures.