4th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report will also outline steps to protect the health of communities across Pennsylvania from tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable death and disease
Embargoed findings and interviews available upon request (with agreement in writing to honor the embargo).
On Wednesday, January 28, the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania will release the 24th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, which evaluates state and federal efforts to eliminate tobacco use and save lives with proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies. The report will grade Pennsylvania’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 quit tobacco treatments, and ending the sale of flavored tobacco products. Access to the embargoed report and embargoed interviews are available upon request.
WHAT: The American Lung Association’s 2026 “State of Tobacco Control” report
WHEN: The report will be released on Wednesday, January 28 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time.
WHERE: New findings from the “State of Tobacco Control” report for Pennsylvania will be live on Lung.org/sotc following the launch. Embargoed copies of the report and interviews are available upon request.
WHO: The following spokespeople are available for media interviews on report findings and health impacts of tobacco use:
- Elizabeth Hensil, Director of Advocacy, PA, American Lung Association
- Jamie Garfield, MD, National Spokesperson, American Lung Association
Professor of Thoracic Medicine and Surgery, Temple Lung Center, Temple University Hospital; Clinical Course Director, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
-
- Frank C. Sciurba, MD, FCCP, Pittsburgh Local Leadership Board, American Lung Association, Professor of Medicine; Director, Emphysema/COPD Research Center, University of Pittsburgh.
- Petrea McKeithen, 26, of Wilkes Barre, is an ECMO and vaping survivor who endured a double lung collapse and a 10‑day coma. She now lives with chronic asthma and vaping-related issues and is available to speak on tobacco prevention and cessation and share her story.
- Thomas Carr, report lead author, Director, Nationwide Policy, American Lung Association
- Medical experts, including pulmonologists and lung cancer experts
WHY: Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease here in Pennsylvania and across the U.S., killing nearly half a million people nationally each year. The “State of Tobacco Control” report not only grades efforts by states and the federal government but also identifies key actions for policymakers to eliminate the death and disease caused by tobacco use.
HOW: To request embargoed report findings or an embargoed interview, contact Val Gleason at Val.Gleason@Lung.org or (717) 971-1123 and agree in writing that you agree to honor the embargo.