Room for Improvement for Tobacco Control in Wisconsin
The American Lung Association (ALA) recently released its annual State of Tobacco Control report evaluating each state and the federal government on their implementation of laws and policies related to tobacco prevention and control. Although Wisconsin received passing grades for our policies on smokefree air (Grade – A) and tobacco taxes (Grade – B), we received Fs for tobacco control funding, access to cessation services, and increasing the legal age to purchase tobacco products to 21 – a recommended policy gaining momentum in other states. In addition to these opportunities for improvement, the ALA called for Wisconsin elected officials to prevent further cuts to the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, require all sales of tobacco products to be clerk assisted, and support local ordinances expanding smokefree air laws to include e-cigarettes.
See the State of Tobacco Control website for more information, including how Wisconsin’s policies compare to those in other states, and check-out Wisconsin’s summary report card here. You can also review Priority 1 of the online version of the 2015-2020 WI CCC Plan for additional strategies and action steps aimed at decreasing tobacco use and exposure in Wisconsin.