The American Lung Association envisions a world free of lung disease. To make our vision a reality, we promote lung health and prevent lung disease through public policy. Public Policy involves an education process to advocate the prevention of lung disease through tobacco prevention/control, clean air quality, asthma management and other related lung disease legislation.

Tobacco Prevention and Control Spending
In Illinois, over $10.6 million is spent each day on smoking-caused productivity losses while more than $8.7 million is spent daily on health-care costs directly related to smoking. Furthermore, Iowa spends more than $2.25 million every day on smoking-caused productivity losses and another $2.17 million on daily health-care costs directly related to smoking.

The American Lung Association supports the disclosure of information regarding tobacco products, as well as testing of ingredients and additives.

We work to encourage our state elected officials to fund statewide comprehensive tobacco prevention and control programs as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Youth Access
Each day in Illinois, kids purchase or smoke 129,863 packs of cigarettes while Iowa kids buy or smoke 32,877 packs every day. Elimination of tobacco advertising and promotions, especially those that are youth-oriented, is essential for reducing smoking rates.

We work to pass laws to restrict youth access to tobacco products by banning self-serve displays, requiring vendor compliance checks and increasing the age to sell tobacco.

Smoke Free Air
The American Lung Association supports measures that promote smoke-free environments, including all workplaces, for the protection of public health. Nearly 70 percent of the U.S. workforce conducted business under a smoke-free policy in 1999, but the percentage of workers protected varies by state.

Cigarette Tax
Raising the cigarette tax increases the price of cigarettes, thereby reducing the overall consumption. Tax increases benefit the state and its residents by balancing the budget, reducing smoking and ultimately decreasing the cost of smoking-related healthcare.