State Senator calls for immediate action on smoke-free air

Sen. Judy Robson (D-Beloit) asked Governor Doyle in a letter released today to include a statewide smoke-free law in his biannual budget proposal. Robson said SeniorCare was passed as a part of the budget and cited the urgency of the issue of smoke-free air.

"Clearly the people of Wisconsin are ready for the state to enact an effective ban on indoor smoking," Robson said. "They understand its value and expect their leaders to respond."

In the letter to Doyle, Robson highlighted the fact that 69 percent of Wisconsin residents favor a smoking ban. Other arguments in the letter include:

• Half of the states in the country prohibit smoking in workplaces, including bars and restaurants
• secondhand smoke causes many of the same diseases as the smoke inhaled by the smoker

For more information on Robson's letter to Doyle click here. The letter is available here.

Today is Public Health Thank You Day!

Public Health professionals work tirelessly every day for disease prevention, the protection of our air, and clean drinking water.

A coalition of public health groups has set Nov. 24, 2008 as a day to show our appreciation for public health heroes.

The Center for Disease Control's Director Julie Louise Gerberding, MD, MPH said, "The 14,000 public health professionals at the CDC ... say ‘thank you' to each of these heroes on the front lines of health. As a result of their dedication, we are all able to live healthier, safer, and longer lives."

Click here for more information on the Public Health Thank You Day and how to get involved.

To everyone working for public health, from all of us at SmokeFree, thank you.

Big Tobacco Not Letting The Economy Get Them Down

For most of the country, a recession means more worries, less money for gas, food, or nights out, and some serious belt-tightening. For the tobacco industry? Recessions are no big deal.

According to a new poll conducted by Harris Interactive in October on behalf of the American Legacy Foundation, the economic downturn has meant increased stress on current smokers, and that stress means more cigarette breaks.

A few key facts:

• 77% of smokers reported increased stress levels due to the current state of the economy
• Two-thirds of those smokers say this stress has affected their smoking
• More middle income ($35-74.9k) Americans have delayed their quit attempts because of stress over the economy
• Unemployed smokers stressed about the economy reported smoking more cigarettes per day (29%) than full-time or self-employed stressed workers (17%)

The more challenging your economic situation is, the more likely you'll be hit hard by this addiction: in your pocketbook and in your lungs.

For more about the benefits of a recession for the tobacco industry, check out Erich's October 24th post, "Despite economic downturn, Big Tobacco still makes BIG profits".