American Lung Association Grades New Jersey Efforts to Reduce Tobacco Use in New Report 24th annual “State of Tobacco Control” report will also outline steps to protect the health of communities across New Jersey from tobacco use, the leading cause of preventable death and disease.   TRENTON – The American Lung Association in New Jersey 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 New Jersey’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 New Jersey 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: Michael Seilback, AVP, Nationwide Policy, American Lung Association Andrew Berman, MD, NJ Local Leadership Board, American Lung Association; Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Division Director, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Allergy and Rheumatology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School 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 New Jersey 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.   About the American Lung AssociationThe American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through education, advocacy and research. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to champion clean air for all; to improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and to create a tobacco-free future. For more information about the American Lung Association, which has a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and is a Platinum-Level GuideStar Member, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit:? Lung.org