252,784

252,784 represents the number of Wisconsinites who have received protection from secondhand smoke via community smoke-free policies in the last 12 months.

Thanks to Verona for putting us over the quarter-million mark last night!

Click here to visit the Holding Our Breath website's
Google Map of strong smoke-free ordinances in Wisconsin.

Verona votes to go smoke-free!

Verona just voted to go smoke-free! Might be the strongest ordinance in the state... more later!

Appleton loves smoke-free air! (75% voter approval for smoke-free ordinance)

Appletonians are the latest to express their satisfaction with smoke-free workplace policies. In a press conference in Appleton today, we revealed 75% voter approval for their smoke-free ordinance, which went into effect in July 2005.

Here's even more great news from the poll:

• 79% of people who go out at least once a week support Appleton's smoke-free ordinance
• Nearly three in four voters think the law has worked well and want it to stay in place
• 83% of voters surveyed say they believe secondhand smoke is a health hazard
• More than half say they're more likely to go out to eat or drink because of the ordinance
• Smoke-free Appleton enjoys strong popularity across party lines, gender, and in all geographic areas of the city

Follow this link to read more!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day...

If only we had smoke-free Irish pubs all across Wisconsin!

According to a paper by Frieda Edgette and Stan Glantz published in the European Heart Journal in 2006, "Ireland made history when it became the first country in Europe (and the first nation in the world) to make all its workplaces, restaurants, and pubs 100% smoke-free on 29 March 2004. Thanks to a strong law, an effective public education campaign about the effects of secondhand smoke, and a serious enforcement effort, Ireland's smoke-free workplace law enjoys over 93% public support, including 80% of smokers. The Irish government reports a 97% compliance rate, consistent with experience elsewhere."

Here's to 5 years of being successfully smoke-free! Way to go Ireland.

Want to learn more?
Click here to read a 2007 study on bar workers' attitudes toward the Irish smoke-free law.

Middleton goes smoke-free today!

Congratulations Middleton - the next city in Wisconsin to go smoke-free indoors in all restaurants, bars, and workplaces. Stay tuned for pictures and video from our smoke-free celebration!

Minorities, men, and high school grads

Minorities, males and high school graduates are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke in their workplaces, according to a UW-Comprehensive Cancer Center study entitled, "Smoking Allowed."

The study, which found that 660,000 Wisconsin workers are currently exposed to secondhand smoke in their workplaces, also found disparities among racial, gender and educational level groups.

According to the press release:

• High school graduates are twice as likely to be exposed as college graduates
  
• Men are 50 percent more likely to be exposed to smoke as women
  
• Black and Hispanic workers are twice as likely to be exposed as white workers

A statewide smoke-free air law would help close the health gap between white and minority workers, male and female workers, and high school graduates and college graduates. Workers in secondhand smoke-filled environments deserve the same right to breathe clean air as workers who are currently protected by smoke-free policies.

New study finds 660,000 Wisconsin workers exposed to hazardous levels of secondhand smoke in their workplaces

One in five Wisconsin workers is still exposed to secondhand smoke at work, according to a new study by the UW Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“These employees may be exposed to dangerous levels of tobacco smoke for up to eight hours per day. We know that this exposure can cause long-term and serious health effects”, said Patrick Remington, MD, MPH, of the UW School of Public Health.

Researchers found that of the exposed workers, only one-fifth worked in bars or restaurants.

“We estimate that over 80 percent of the employees exposed to secondhand smoke are working in manufacturing, retail and wholesale businesses and transportation. While tavern and restaurant employees would benefit from a smoke-free workplace law, most of the changes would benefit those working in other industries,” said Remington.

"Smoking Allowed," as the study is referred to, analyzed data from both Wisconsin and the United States as a whole.

The press release is available here and the full report is here.

Eau Claire Likes Its Ordinance...A Lot

According to a new poll conducted by The Mellman Group, 74% of Eau Claire's residents support their city's smoke-free ordinance, which went into effect in July. The city of Eau Claire has an ordinance that covers all workplaces, bars and taverns included.

A few highlights:

• 77% of people who go out at least once a week support Eau Claire's smoke-free ordinance
• 7 in 10 voters think the law has worked well and want it to stay in place
• 82% of voters surveyed say they believe secondhand smoke is a health hazard
• More than half say they're more likely to go out to eat or drink because of the ordinance
• Smoke-free Eau Claire is equally popular across party lines, gender, and in all geographic areas of the city.

"This is strong evidence the vast majority of people in Eau Claire, and especially the ones who patronize area bars and restaurants most frequently, prefer smoke-free air," Katie Wilson, a member of the Tobacco Free Partnership of Eau Claire said.

JFC Hearings

The Joint Committee on Finance will be holding hearings around the state to hear your input on the budget. We encourage you to attend a meeting in your area! See the dates and locations below:


Sparta
Monday, March 23
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
American Legion Hall
1116 Angelo Road


Milwaukee Metro
Wednesday, March 25
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
State Fair Park
Banquet Room #2
640 S 84th St West Allis


Eau Claire
Friday, March 27
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
UW- Eau Claire
Haas Fine Arts Center
Gantner Concert Hall
121 Water Street


Racine
Monday, March 30
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Case High School
Theater
7345 Washington Avenue


Appleton
Wednesday, April 1
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Lawrence University
Stansbury Theater
Music Drama Center
420 E College Ave


Cambridge
Friday, April 3
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Amundson Community Center
200 Spring Street

South Dakota is going smoke-free!

South Dakota just voted on a 2/3 margin to go smoke-free on July 1st! Congrats South Dakotans!

Read the breaking news article here.