Lung Association Combines Sacramento Offices

Source from:  Sacramento Business Journal - by Kathy Robertson Staff writer Monday, June  06/10/2008

The American Lung Association of California has consolidated its state government relations office and the Center for Tobacco Policy Organizing with its Sacramento metro office in a cost-cutting move that is also expected to increase efficiency and collaboration between the two offices. Formerly located in two different suites at 921 11th St., the government relations office and tobacco policy center have relocated to the metro office at 1029 J St. The government relations group has four employees who work on lung health, tobacco and air quality initiatives statewide. The Center for Tobacco Policy Organizing, funded by a state grant from the Department of Public Health's Tobacco Control Program, promotes community organizing and provides policy information about significant tobacco control bills, campaign contributions from the tobacco industry -- and emerging issues like tobacco retailer licensing and smoke-free multi-unit housing. The lung association's Sacramento metro office provides services to Alpine, Amador, Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sierra and Yolo counties. The three divisions used to be in different management structures, said association spokeswoman Amber Markow. The American Lung Association has evolved over its 104-year history to meet changing needs and priorities, California president and chief executive officer Jim Wilgus said in a prepared statement. "With this in mind, we centralized all of our Sacramento-based activities into one new office to strengthen the American Lung Association of California's presence within the community and to improve overall efficiency and collaboration among our divisions." Enditem