“Governor Doyle is proposing the most comprehensive tobacco prevention initiative in state history,” said Maureen Busalacchi, Executive Director of SmokeFree Wisconsin and spokesperson for a broad-based coalition of organizations.

“Governor Doyle is taking significant steps to reduce tobacco-related death and disease in our state by proposing a $1.25 cigarette tax increase and full funding for the state’s tobacco control program in the upcoming state budget, as well as asking the legislature to enact a comprehensive smoke-free air law. These are proven policies to reduce tobacco use,” Busalacchi said.

According to Busalacchi, every state that has raised their tobacco tax has experienced a significant reduction in smoking rates, especially among youth and pregnant women. In addition, states that have funded tobacco prevention and control programs at the level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reduced cigarette sales at more than twice the rate of the country as a whole.

“The Governor’s comprehensive approach to combating tobacco in Wisconsin demonstrates a commitment to helping smokers quit and ensuring that revenue from the increased tobacco tax is used toward that purpose. In addition to helping smokers quit, a fully funded tobacco prevention and control program will greatly enhance what can be done to educate kids about the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke,“ said Busalacchi.

Busalacchi said that each year in Wisconsin secondhand smoke kills more people than traffic accidents. “Eliminating secondhand smoke from indoor work environments is an essential public health measure, and it’s time Wisconsin joins the growing list of states that have stood up for their residents and workers and enacted strong, comprehensive smoke-free laws,” she said.

“The Governor’s bold proposal attacks the 1st and 3rd leading causes of preventable death in our state. This is a historic day. Smokers will get the help they need to quit. Youth and adult smoking rates will plummet if his plan is enacted by the legislature,” Busalacchi said.

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