TOP STORIES
FDA Authorizes 11 New Zyn and Several Juul2 Products
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the marketing of 11 ZYN ULTRA nicotine pouch products, with most either mint or menthol flavored and containing 9 or 11 mg of nicotine per pouch. Mint is the most popular flavor among kids who use nicotine pouches, according to the 2025 National Youth Tobacco Survey. This is the first time FDA has authorized an 11 mg nicotine pouch, which is a significantly higher level than the previously authorized nicotine pouches. The FDA also authorized the Juul2 device and a tobacco and menthol flavored e-cigarette product.
“Now that kids are back in school, caregivers, teachers and communities across the country are working to prevent young people from starting to use tobacco products and becoming addicted to nicotine. FDA should be helping those efforts – not making them harder,” said Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer in a recent statement.
Take action: Tell FDA to protect kids, not flavored vapes.
Introducing Freedom From Smoking®: My Glory. My Journey. Living a Tobacco Free Life.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States; however, the pain and destruction it inflicts is not equal among populations. Addressing tobacco use in Black communities is especially important as Black individuals are more likely to be living with smoking-related diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease, and 73% of Black individuals who smoke or use tobacco products want to quit. To address this issue, the Lung Association recently developed Freedom From Smoking® (FFS): My Glory. My Journey. Living a Tobacco-Free Life, a new evidence-based, culturally relevant tobacco cessation group program for adults!
If you are interested in becoming a certified facilitator, sponsoring facilitator training, or bringing the program to your community, please email FreedomFromSmoking@Lung.org for more information.
EVENTS
There's Still Time to Walk or Run in Support of Lung Health in 2026
Join us at a LUNG FORCE Walk or Run/Walk. We’re working to bring about positive change and support those living with lung cancer. There are four remaining LUNG FORCE Walks and Run/Walks in 2026:
- LUNG FORCE Walk New Jersey: Bridgewater, New Jersey – TD Bank Ballpark on Saturday, September 26. Register here.
- LUNG FORCE Walk Cleveland presented by Cleveland Clinic: Cleveland, Ohio – Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on Sunday, September 27. Register here.
- LUNG FORCE Run/Walk Charleston: Charleston, South Carolina – The Dunes House at Folly Beach on Saturday, October 17. Register here.
LUNG FORCE Walk Long Island: East Meadow, New York – Eisenhower Park on Saturday, October 24. Register here.
Join Our Powered by Lungs Team. The Lung Association has bibs available for the following 2026 marathons:
- BMW Berlin Marathon on Sunday, September 27. Learn more or support a runner.
- Irish Life Dublin Marathon on Sunday, October 25. Learn more or support a runner.
- TCS New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 2. Learn more or support a runner.
- JAL Honolulu Marathon on Sunday, December 13. Learn more or support a runner.
RESEARCH
Our Funded Research: Published Study Highlights Potential New Target for Lung Cancer
New research published in the published in the , of the University of Southern California. identified PDLIM2 as a promising biomarker and potential treatment target for lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Researchers found that higher PDLIM2 levels were associated with longer survival and tumor characteristics that may predict a better response to immunotherapy. The findings support further study of PDLIM2 as a potential tool for guiding and improving lung cancer treatment. This work was supported in part by a Lung Association Lung Cancer Discovery Award awarded to Zhaoxia (Julia) Qu, PhD, of the University of Southern California.
YOUR HEALTH
Learning to Live with COPD: Your Questions Answered
Finding out you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, can feel overwhelming, and many people who are newly diagnosed have questions about what their diagnosis means, what happens next and how the disease will affect their future. The good news is that you are not alone and there are steps you can take to better understand and manage your health. We spoke with Tiffany, a Lung Association Lung Health Navigator and registered respiratory therapist, along with two people living with COPD, about the questions and concerns they faced right after diagnosis. Read more.
ADVOCACY
California is the First State to Provide Free Asthma Inhalers to All Public Schools
We’re applauding the State of California for creating a new program to provide asthma quick-relief (rescue) inhalers, spacers and training to all public schools in that state. This three-year, first-of-its kind effort "will ensure that virtually all children in K-12 public schools will have access to this lifesaving medication,” said Harold Wimmer in a statement.
Take action: Tell FDA to protect kids, not flavored vapes.
EACH BREATH BLOG
Michelle's Story: How Mindset Can Make a Difference When Dealing with Cancer
After years of treatment and uncertainty, Michelle, a stage IV lung cancer survivor and licensed mental health therapist, found strength and community in yoga and meditation. Read more.
Blog last updated: September 11, 2026
