Wisconsin Governor Doyle Urges Legislature to Make Wisconsin Smokefree

By newsdesk - Posted on January 10th, 2008

With Cigarettes snuffed in Minnesota and Illinois, State Risks Being Midwest’s Ashtray

January 09, 2008 -- HUDSON -- Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today urged the Legislature to make restaurants and taverns, along with other indoor workplaces, smokefree at the same time on January 1, 2009.

“Close to half the states in the nation are moving towards making all public places smokefree. We know which way history is going,” Governor Doyle said. “The Legislature should act so that Wisconsin does not become the ashtray of the Midwest.”

Both Minnesota and Illinois have already enacted statewide smokefree legislation that snuffs cigarettes in restaurants, bars and other indoor workplaces. Minnesota’s smokefree law took effect in October, 2007, and Illinois enacted its statewide law on January 1, 2008. Wisconsin’s Legislature is currently considering a clean indoor air bill that has bipartisan support.

Governor Doyle first proposed statewide smokefree legislation as part of a three-step strategy to confront the dangers of tobacco. As part of this comprehensive plan, the state raised cigarette tax by $1 per pack this year and is dedicating $30 million -- a $10 million increase -- over the biennium to help smokers quit.

Those steps have already had a clear effect. During the first week of the increased cigarette tax that was implemented on January 1, the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line took calls from 9,000 smokers -- equal to the number of calls during an average year.

Governor Doyle is calling for the third part of his plan to be enacted, which will save money in health care costs, improve public health and save lives through a comprehensive smokefree law that doesn’t leave loopholes for tobacco companies.

According to the National Cancer Society, 5,000 kids try their first cigarette every day and 2,000 of them become regular smokers. One-third will eventually die from their addiction. Additionally, secondhand smoke increases the risk of heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory disease -- even in nonsmokers. Coupled with the cigarette tax and the commitment to help smokers quit, a statewide smoking ban would dramatically decrease these health risks and grim statistics.

For more information on the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW) visit the website at www.ctri.wisc.edu/quitline.

Source: Wisconsin Governor

Bookmark/Search this post with: