Mission:
To prevent lung disease and promote lung health.

Background:
Founded in 1904 to fight tuberculosis, the American Lung Association is the oldest voluntary health organization in the United States, with a national office and constituent and affiliate associations nationwide. Today the organization fights lung disease in all its forms, focusing on environmental health, asthma, and tobacco control. Responsible for approximately one in five deaths in the United States, cigarette smoking has been identified as the most important source of preventable morbidity and premature mortality worldwide.

Outstanding Web Features:
The American Lung Association Web site provides numerous fact sheets on smoking and resources for smoking cessation, including Freedom From Smoking, the association's recently revised, online initiative; information on smoking and pregnancy; and an action plan to kick the habit. Addressing specific populations, the site supplies data on the prevalence of smoking among certain ethnic groups and an intiative targeting teen smokers. It also offers online registration for free e-newsletters.