Lung Association Asks NY'ers to Join Their Fight to Save Tobacco Control Funding

ALBANY, NY (03/15/2011)(readMedia)-- Advocates of the American Lung Association in New York are walking the halls of the State Capitol today urging legislators to support funding for the State's tobacco control program in this year's budget. While Governor Cuomo and the State Senate have proposed funding the program at $58.4 million, the Assembly-only proposed budget eliminates the program's funding.

The Lung Association is asking New Yorkers to join their effort to save funding by sending an e-advocacy message to their legislators, the Speaker of the Assembly and Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried. New Yorkers who would like to join the Lung Association's Action Network can visit this page.

The American Lung Association Action Network unites New Yorkers with people from around the nation who are concerned about, or have been touched by, lung health issues. The Action Network addresses such topics as tobacco use; air pollution; research into the causes, treatment and prevention of lung disease; funding for asthma programs; and improved access to health care. As a part of the Action Network, members receive action items and alerts to keep informed and involved in the Lung Association's ongoing effort to communicate with decision makers on these and other emerging lung health concerns.

"We need to get the message out to every state legislator that this funding is essential to New York's public health," said Irwin Berlin, MD, Board Chair of the American Lung Association in New York. "Investing in tobacco control saves lives and saves the state money by reducing smoking attributable health care costs. We simply cannot afford to cut this program."

Those without internet access may also reach their Assembly representative by phone by calling the New York State Assembly switchboard at (518) 455-4100 and asking to be connected to their representative's office.

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Editor's note: This message was sent to the members of the Lung Association's Action Network earlier today.