Smoking Gripes Decrease

Numbers are out about smoking complaints across the state. As expected, July had the most complaints, then we've seen a steady decline. These are complaints coming in through the toll free number or website.
At a more personal level, our 5 counties have seen a total of 24 complaints. That's not on 24 businesses, rather this is our total, including businesses that might have received multiple complaints.
The entire article from Milwaukee News Buzz can be read by clicking on the link below.

http://www.milwaukeenewsbuzz.com/?p=354214

Tobacco Prevention Funding is at a Shameful Level in WI

A recent press release from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids summarizes that Wisconsin currently spends $6.9 million a year on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which is 10.7 percent of the $64.3 million recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Other key findings for Wisconsin include:

· Wisconsin this year will collect $840 million from the 1998 tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes, but will spend just 0.8 percent of it on tobacco prevention programs.
· The tobacco companies spend $274.0 million a year to market their products in Wisconsin. This is 40 times what the state spends on tobacco prevention.

Along with the tobacco settlement money (that was mostly used to fill up a hole in Gov. McCallum's budget), WI also collects nearly $700 million a year in cigarette taxes. The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program receives the equavalent of (none of the cigarette tax is earmarked for prevention) less than 1% of that tax.

The Tobacco Prevention and Control Program is grossly underfunded. WI’s progress in reducing smoking is at risk unless the state legislature decides to invest in programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit.

Govenor-elect Walker created a website (http://www.transition.wi.gov/) to "serve as a resource to Wisconsinites in the days leading up to the Inauguration on January 3rd." The website features a page "Citizen Suggestions" where Wisconsinites can provide suggestions for how "we can cut waste and make government run more efficiently for taxpayers."

Prevention programs, like the Tobacco Prevention & Control Program, can help reduce the over $2 billion spent in WI on health-care costs attributed to tobacco-related diseases.

To read the full report from CFTFK: http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements/FY2011/releases/

Election Whirlwind offers Continued Hope for Tobacco Prevention and Control

Despite large shifts in power in WI for this 2010 mid-term election, public health issues are still seeing backing by the public in other areas of the country. South Dakota voted to become the next smoke-free state! You can read the full press release on the Campaing for Tobacco-Free Kids' website: http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/Script/DisplayPressRelease.php3?Display=1237

Congratulations South Dakota!!!

The top priorities on voters minds (as seen by exit polls) are the Economy and Health Care. While the future of public health in WI looks like it might be taking some turns, the public is still concerned about its health. Hopefully this new State Legislature keeps moving in the right direction to improve the health of Wisconsinites to help make us the healthiest state in one generation.

To see the full list of winners from yesterday's election visit: http://www.thewheelerreport.com/