Are E-Cigarettes a Safe Alternative?

Guest Bio: Erika Sward, Assistant Vice President of National Advocacy for the American Lung Association

Erika Sward is Assistant Vice President of National Advocacy for the American Lung Association. In that capacity, she directs advocacy strategy and activities on tobacco control, lung health policy and other issues for the Lung Association.

She serves as the Lung Association's lead lobbyist with Congress and the Administration on tobacco, appropriations and lung disease and lung health issues. Erika also oversees federal advocacy outreach including grassroots lobbying and coalition partnerships, and also provides strategic advice on state and local initiatives.

Prior to joining the American Lung Association's Washington National Office in 2006, Sward served as Associate Director for Advocacy at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, where she primarily worked on advancing federal legislation and policy. Sward was an analyst for Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a political survey research firm, from 1999 to 2003.

Originally from Ohio, Sward received her BA in Political Science and MA in American Politics from American University. She and her husband live in Maryland with their two children.