Respiratory Health Association

Est. 1906 - Healthy Lungs and Clean Air For All

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

RHA hosted Senator Durbin today to raise urgent concerns about the FDA's first ever approval of fruit flavored e-cigarettes. Flavors like mango and blueberry are proven to attract youth to nicotine. This decision puts a generation at risk.

Full press release coming this week.

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

We were mentioned in @CrainsChicago! 🗞️

"There is no safe amount of nicotine at any level. Flavored e-cigarettes are deliberately designed and marketed to appeal to youth, opening the door to a new generation of lung disease."

https://t.co/1wcK0XWrOT

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

The FDA just approved flavored e-cigarettes for the first time in U.S. history. There is no safe amount of nicotine, and these products are designed to hook a new generation. Our youth deserve better.

Read our full statement below:
🔗https://t.co/oLySShZxlP

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

A completed, peer-reviewed CDC study on COVID vaccine effectiveness was blocked from publication after passing review and editor approval. The findings? Vaccines cut ER visits and hospitalizations among healthy adults by ~50% last winter.

Read more:

https://t.co/H6MmNaEdvi

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

Chicago was ranked the 3rd most polluted major U.S. city in 2025.

Traffic and diesel emissions are a major part of the problem.

Take Action
🚛 Warehouse Pollution Reduction Act: https://t.co/4533kWZ1jg
🚛 Diesel Emissions Accountability & Fleet Data Act: https://t.co/B3vsuIIfgP

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

Yesterday, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin spoke on the Senate floor recognizing the 36th anniversary of Smoke Free Skies and the lasting impact of smoke-free air policies.

“Senator Durbin was a catalyst in the anti-tobacco movement with his sponsorship of Smoke Free Skies in 1990. He has continued to be an ongoing supporter of smoke-free spaces and clean air throughout his career. Respiratory Health Association appreciates his longstanding support for lung health for all people in Illinois as we continue our work to curb youth vaping and tobacco use.”
- Rob Anderson, President and CEO, Respiratory Health Association

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

Canadian wildfire smoke has inundated the #Midwest today. #Indiana has called an #AirPollution Action Day and so did the #Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, check out RHA's essential tips for protecting yourself from smoke: https://t.co/qqwBiNvtqh

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

🏭 Chicago’s zoning laws allow major polluters to move into already overburdened neighborhoods without warning.

🗣️ Read what RHA’s Director of Environmental Health Programs, Brian Urbaszewski, has to say at: https://t.co/iQypertLsU

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

Extreme heat is dangerous, especially for people with lung disease. Add heat stress and the risk grows.

💧 Stay hydrated
🏠 Stay in air-conditioned spaces
🚫 Avoid outdoor exercise

Climate change is a public health crisis. RHA stands with those fighting to protect the @EPA.

[Congressman Bill Foster @RepBillFoster]

I’m always proud to stand with Illinoisans in defense of our environment—especially as Trump’s anti-science EPA is firing experts and embracing climate change denialism.

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

🚭 Illegal smoking and vaping on the CTA is a serious health issue and we need solutions that work!

Check out RHA's Senior Director of Strategy, Programs & Policy, Erica Salem, discuss possible solutions in a Letter to the Editor of the Sun-Times at: https://t.co/bX5gSIERYk

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

RHA will host a virtual Courage to Quit® Leader Training on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 5th and 6th, from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm CST. Participation in both days is required to complete the training.

Register today at: https://t.co/swcgLQasIF

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

RHA is pleased to announce the election of @DuaneMorrisLLP's Nicholas J. Lynn to the Board of Directors.

Read the full statement at: https://t.co/nFSUGGQPyn

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

RHA is proud to announce that @NixonPeabodyLLP partner John Ruskusky has been elected to the Board of Directors.

Read the full statement at: https://t.co/6aTDwrlFZu

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

Join us on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 for a free zoom webinar between 12:00 - 12:45 PM CST, as we cover #radon basics, #health risks, testing & mitigation, and a policy snapshot. RHA's Brian Urbaszewski, will be moderating.

Sign up today at https://t.co/ylzzLbPjSw

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

🚨🚨Tonight, the U.S. Senate plans to vote on a budget bill that cuts over a trillion dollars in #Medicaid funding.

Tell Your Senators to Protect Medicaid and Stop the 'Big Beautiful Bill! at:
https://t.co/xXN9mJZas3

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

Do you live in the City of #chicago and believe people overburdened with #airpollution should have a voice when large polluters want to locate in their communities?

Sign a letter urging your Alderperson to protect the health of vulnerable neighborhoods: https://t.co/GSSZEshIaR

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

In 2023, thanks to RHA and @AAFANational advocacy, #Illinois became the first state in the country to fund a statewide program permitting undesignated emergency #asthma medication in schools.

Learn more about the successes of the program at:

https://t.co/uIEMw2pIoS

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Summer Reception and joined us in congratulating our 2025 Solovy Award recipient, Dr. Wassim Labaki, alongside all of our amazing volunteers!

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

“When people smoke on the CTA, they are putting at risk the health of all riders, especially those living with #asthma and other #lungdiseases,” said RHA's Senior Director of Strategy, Programs & Policy, Erica Salem.

[Respiratory Health Association @RespHealth]

Last Wednesday, 34th Ward @AldConway, alongside RHA staff, introduced a resolution calling for stronger enforcement of the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) ban on #smoking.