Great media coverage of the tax!

Original AP Story from Scott Bauer

Eau Claire Leader Telegram

CBS Channel 2 Chicago

Many other newspapers have featured the Associated Press article as well.
Check back tomorrow for additional coverage of the cigarette tax increase. Now is a great time to quit smoking and many resources have been outlined on the blog and our website to help people who are ready to quit, to finally make it to the finish line!

SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Year's in September Reason # 9

As part of SmokeFree Wisconsin’s countdown to September 1st’s increase in the cigarette and tobacco taxes we are highlighting a reason to use September 1st as an opportunity to quit smoking and using tobacco and informing Wisconsinites of a resource that is available to assist them in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #9: SMOKING DECREASES LIFE EXPECTANCY

Smoking shaves years off a person’s life. Men who have never smoked live on average 10 years longer than their peers who smoke heavily, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Not only do nonsmokers enjoy a longer life, they enjoy a better quality of life too.

RESOURCE #9: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY—GET SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY

The American Cancer Society stresses the importance of getting support from friends and family to help you quit smoking. Quitting smoking is a stressful experience that can be helped by encouragement and support from those around you. The American Cancer Society even includes helpful tips to friends and family dealing with a person trying to quit smoking including: letting the person know that it’s okay to call if he/she needs words of encouragement, spend time with the quitter doing things to take his/her mind off of smoking, and celebrate along the way.

The American Cancer Society helpful tips for friends and family can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.

SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Year's in September Reason #8

As part of SmokeFree Wisconsin’s countdown to September 1 st ’s increase in
the cigarette and tobacco taxes we are highlighting a reason to use September 1 st as an opportunity to quit smoking and using tobacco and informing Wisconsinites of a resource that is available to assist them in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #8: IN ADDITION TO CANCER, SMOKING CAUSES MANY OTHER DISEASES
The list of diseases caused by smoking includes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), coronary heart disease, stroke,
abdominal aortic aneurysm, acute myeloid leukemia, cataract, pneumonia, periodontitis, and bladder, esophageal, laryngeal, lung, oral, throat, cervical, kidney, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Smoking is also a major factor in a variety of other conditions and disorders, including slowed healing of wounds, infertility, and peptic ulcer disease.

RESOURCE #8—CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION: USING PROVEN
MEDICINES CAN DOUBLE YOUR CHANCE OF SUCCESS
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using proven treatments can double your chance of success: “Using proven cessation treatments, such as FDA approved medications and/or individual, group or phone counseling, can double your chance of success.”
Smokefree.gov has an overview of the medicinal options to help you to quit smoking. There are medicines that can help with feelings of withdrawal: nicotine gum, nicotine inhaler, nicotine lozenge, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine patch, bupropion SR pills, Varenicline pills.
Talk to your doctor about options. But remember: Medicine alone can't do all the work. It can help with cravings and withdrawal, but quitting will still be hard at times.
For more information, go to www.smokefree.gov and www.cdc.gov.

SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Years in September Reason #7

As part of SmokeFree Wisconsin’s countdown to September 1st’s increase in the cigarette and tobacco taxes we are highlighting a reason to use September 1st as an opportunity to quit smoking and using tobacco and informing Wisconsinites of a resource that is available to assist them in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #7: SMOKING CAN CAUSE INFERTILITY

Smoking of cigarettes and other tobacco-containing substances can greatly increase infertility. Men who smoke have been shown to have abnormalities in sperm production, translating into higher rates of infertility. Smoking can also lead to impotence by causing damage to blood vessels. For women, tobacco’s toxic substances may harm the ovaries and cause hormonal changes that can lead to menstrual irregularities or even menstrual cycles where ovulation fails to occur. Women are also at greater risk for cervical cancer, which could involve the removal of the uterus and ovaries, leaving women permanently infertile.

RESOURCE #7—MY TIME TO QUIT—TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

The “My Time to Quit” website provides helpful tips to talking to your doctor about quitting options. “My Time to Quit” also offers a valuable “Doctor Discussion Checklist” to ease you into a discussion with your doctor about quitting. Additionally, you could find out about a prescription treatment option that may help you quit smoking. And learn more about a behavioral support plan, too.

For more guidance about how to start the discussion with your doctor, CLICK HERE!

SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Year's in September Reason # 6

As part of SmokeFree Wisconsin’s countdown to September 1st’s increase in the cigarette and tobacco taxes we are highlighting a reason to use September 1st as an opportunity to quit smoking and using tobacco and informing Wisconsinites of a resource that is available to assist them in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #6: SMOKING IS THE SINGLE MOST PREVENTABLE CAUSE OF ILLNESS AND DEATH AMONG MOTHERS AND INFANTS

Historically, Wisconsin has had one of the highest rates of smoking among pregnant women in the nation (16.5 percent Wisconsin pregnant smokers compared to 12 percent nationally.) Pregnant mothers who use tobacco are putting their unborn child at risk for lower birth weight, preterm birth, slowed or reduced physical growth and a higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.


RESOURCE # 6—SMOKEFREE WOMEN: HELPING WOMEN QUIT SMOKING

Smokefree.gov has a specific website link devoted to helping women quit smoking. The Smokefree Women website includes a variety of interactive tools to help you quit smoking. Among the suggested tools are: join Smokefree Women on Facebook for support, take a quiz to learn more about why you smoke, put a stop to “smoky thinking”, discover your reasons for quitting, using the craving journal, and becoming aware of your smoking triggers. There is also a link for pregnant women who need to quit smoking to improve the health of the mother as well as the baby.

To learn more about how women can get help quitting smoking, please go to: http://women.smokefree.gov/tools.aspx

For more information about how to quit smoking if you’re pregnant, visit:
http://women.smokefree.gov/topic-pregnancy.aspx

SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Year’s Day in September Reason # 5

As part of SmokeFree Wisconsin’s countdown to September 1st’s increase in the cigarette and tobacco taxes we are highlighting a reason to use September 1st as an opportunity to quit smoking and using tobacco and informing Wisconsinites of a resource that is available to assist them in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #5: SMOKING WEAKENS BONES

Smoking is a serious risk factor for osteoporosis, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. It’s been shown to fritter away bone density in postmenopausal women and to hike the risk of hip fractures in both sexes, according to the 2004 Surgeon General’s Report. People who endure hip fractures are 12 to 20 percent more likely to die than those who don’t, the Report notes. Smokers may also experience slower healing of broken bones and wounded tissues than do nonsmokers.

RESOURCE #5—CLEAR HORIZONS—QUITTING SMOKING OVER AGE 50

Quitting smoking can be especially challenging for people who have been smoking for many years. But the smoking addiction can be overcome, no matter what your age.
“Clear Horizons” is a website that is catered to those who are quitting smoking over the age of 50. Even after forty or fifty years of smoking, the body can repair much of the damage from smoking. Now is the time to quit and improve your life in many ways.
For more information, please visit: http://www.myclearhorizons.com/

Great interview with Wisconsin Radio News

Listen to David Ahrens discuss the pro-tobacco lobbying spending during the first half of this year. Nearly $1.25 million!
Click here to listen.

SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Year’s Day in September Reason # 4

As part of SmokeFree Wisconsin’s countdown to September 1st’s increase in the cigarette and tobacco taxes we are highlighting a reason to use September 1st as an opportunity to quit smoking and using tobacco and informing Wisconsinites of a resource that is available to assist them in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #4:
SMOKING INCREASES RISK OF A HEART ATTACK

People who smoke are up to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmokers, and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked. The good news is that quitting smoking can immediately reduce your risk of heart disease and other serious disorders, with the benefit increasing over time. Just 1 year after you stop smoking, your heart disease risk may drop by more than half. Within several years, it will approach the heart disease risk of someone who has never smoked. No matter how long you’ve been smoking, or how much, quitting will lessen your chances of developing heart disease.

RESOURCE #4:
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION; FREEDOM FROM SMOKING- FREE ONLINE PROGRAM
The American Lung Association’s popular and free online program Freedom From Smoking (FFS) has just been revamped and upgraded. The program consists of seven modules, including assessing your readiness to quit, understanding your learned habit and diving into long-term strategies for maintaining a smoke free life.

The FFS program can be accessed online- CLICK HERE!

SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Year’s Day in September Reason # 3

As part of SmokeFree Wisconsin’s countdown to September 1st’s increase in the cigarette and tobacco taxes we are highlighting a reason to use September 1st as an opportunity to quit smoking and using tobacco and informing Wisconsinites of a resource that is available to assist them in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #3:
SMOKING BY PARENTS IS HARMFUL TO CHILDREN

Smoking by parents is associated with a wide range of adverse effects in their children, including exacerbation of asthma, increased frequency of colds and ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome. An estimated 150,000 to 300,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infections in children less than 18 months of age, resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 annual hospitalizations, are caused by secondhand smoke.

RESOURCE #3:
BECOME AN EX
Parents Magazine and the American Legacy Foundation have teamed up to create a special quit plan for moms and dads, powered by the Legacy Foundation's online cutting-edge program, Become an Ex: Re-learn Life Without Cigarettes. EX is a free website that people can use to create a personal quit-smoking plan to re-learn life without cigarettes. By creating a free profile, users are able to track their progress online, complete and save exercises from the EX workbook and join the EX online community.

The site is a project of National Alliance for Tobacco Cessation. It was created by the American Legacy Foundation, with the help of quit-smoking experts at Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center. CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN EX!

Big Tobacco Outspends Health Groups 7 to 1 in 2009

Pro-Tobacco groups spend $1.25 million for lobbying in six months. Outspending pro-health groups 7:1 in 2009.

Pro-tobacco corporations spent a record $1.25 million in the first half of 2009 lobbying in opposition to the increase in the cigarette tax and the smoke-free workplace legislation, according to reports submitted to the Government Accountability Board (GAB). Pro-health organizations spent $172,835 lobbying for these measures during the same period- a ratio of seven to one.

The tobacco tax, smoke-free legislation, and tobacco prevention and control funding were all key issues during the legislative session.

While the tax increase and smoke-free workplace legislation passed both houses, tobacco prevention and control funding was reduced by 55%.

The two major pro-tobacco corporations, Altria- Philip Morris (Marlboro) and Reynolds American (manufacturer of Camels, Kool and Winston) spent a total of $985,000 in the first six months of the legislative session. In their GAB reports, the companies stated their efforts were in opposition to the tax increase of cigarettes.

The cigarette manufacturers’ lobbying reports also stated that a substantial majority of their lobbying costs were not in payment for lobbyists’ fees. Altria reported $462,000 and Reynolds reported $300,257 in expenses that were not detailed. The GAB allows these costs for research, public relations (to urge the public to influence state legislation) and volunteers’ expenses.

Overall, Altria ranked second in expenditures among lobbyists in this period and Reynolds American ranked sixth. The highest ranking pro-health organizations were the Wisconsin Medical Society which ranked 18th and the American Cancer Society which was 62nd.

Organizations primarily opposing the smoke-free workplace legislation included the Tavern League of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Association of Music and Amusement Operators.

The leading pro-health organizations, in order of their expenditure, were American Cancer Society, Smoke Free Wisconsin, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Wisconsin Medical Society and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

Expenditures by Altria may be higher than reported. According to the GAB report, 163 hours of lobbying services were reported by Essie Kammer Group but without payment. Fees for Altria’s other primary lobbyists, former Acting Governor Schreiber and Tavern League lobbyist Scott Stenger, ranged between $47,000 and $50,000 for a similar number of hours worked.

The tobacco tax increase takes effect on September 1, 2009 and the all Wisconsin workplaces go smoke-free on July 5, 2010. According to a recent WI Department of Health Services’ survey one in five adults in Wisconsin regularly smoke.

SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Year’s Day in September Reason # 2

As part of SmokeFree Wisconsin’s countdown to September 1^st’s increase in the cigarette and tobacco taxes we are highlighting a reason to use September 1^st as an opportunity to quit smoking and using tobacco and informing Wisconsinites of a resource that is available to assist them in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #2:
LUNG CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATH FOR BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.

Smoking – whether from cigarettes, cigars or a pipe – is directly responsible for 90 percent of lung cancer deaths and approximately 80 to 90 percent of emphysema and chronic bronchitis deaths. Lung cancer is also the most preventable cancer.

RESOURCE #2:
PLAN YOUR QUIT DAY

Smokers often say, "Don't tell me why to quit, tell me how." There is no one right way to quit, but there are some key elements in quitting smoking successfully. These 4 steps are crucial:

1. Make the decision to quit.

2. Set a quit date, and choose a quit plan.

3. Manage withdrawal.

4. Stay quit (maintain success).

Would you like more information on the latest nicotine-replacement products and cessation strategies? To learn how quickly your body benefits when you stop? Get this information and more in the American Cancer Society’s complete Guide to Quitting Smoking , available online at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp

SmokeFree Wisconsin Encourages Wisconsinites to Celebrate New Year’s Day in September Reason # 1

The September 1^st increase in cost of tobacco products is a great time for a resolution to quit smoking

Effective Tuesday, September 1^st, the state’s cigarette tax will be increased by 75 cents to $2.52 per pack, the 5^th highest cigarette tax in the nation. The price-based tax on moist snuff (MST) and other tobacco products (OTP) will also increase; 100% of manufacturer’s established list price for MST and 71% for OTP.

SmokeFree Wisconsin supported these increases because research has shown that significant increases in the cigarette tax will deter young people from starting to smoke or use tobacco products, and provides motivation for adult smokers to avoid paying more in taxes and quit the addiction. General consensus among researchers is that every 10 percent increase in the real price of cigarettes reduces overall cigarette consumption by approximately three to five percent, reduces the number of young-adult smokers by 3.5 percent, and reduces the number of kids who smoke by six or seven percent.

“Instead of waiting until January 1^st for your New Years Resolution to quit smoking, we encourage you to celebrate New Years in September, by timing your resolution to quit with the September 1^st increase in Wisconsin’s tobacco taxes,” said SmokeFree Wisconsin Executive Director Maureen Busalacchi.

As SmokeFree Wisconsin counts down to September 1^st, we will highlight a reason to quit smoking and using tobacco, and a resource that is available to assist Wisconsinites in their resolution to quit.

Today’s reason and resource are:

REASON #1: IMPACT OF SMOKING AND TOBACCO USE IN WISCONSIN

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in Wisconsin, claiming more than 7,300 lives each year and costing the state $2 billion annually in health care bills, including $480 million in Medicaid payments alone. Government expenditures related to tobacco amount to a hidden tax of $594 each year on every Wisconsin household.

RESOURCE #1: WISCONSIN TOBACCO QUIT LINE- “IT’S FREE”

The Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line offers free, confidential, non-judgmental coaching and information about how to quit. Quit coaches help each caller develop an individualized quit plan, including selecting a quit date. Callers can finish with the first call, or request a program in which a quit coach calls you back at times you select. The Quit Line also sends callers a free quit guide with information about quitting methods, medications and other tips. Research shows smokers who use the Quit Line are four times more likely to quit than if they try to quit on their own.

The Quit Line has helped more than 50,000 Wisconsin residents in six years of operation and has saved the state $42 million dollars in avoided healthcare expenses. The service has a 91 percent satisfaction rating from callers.

Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to get started (800-784-8669). It's free.

Vote for Smoke Free Wisconsin in the Nonprofit Tagline Awards!

SmokeFree Wisconsin's tag line was chosen as one of 61 finalists out of over 1,600 entries in the 2009 Getting Attention Nonprofit Tagline Awards.

We are in the top 4 percent, but in order to win we need your help!

Click on this link to vote for SmokeFree Wisconsin's tag line!

Hurry, the polls are only open until September 30!

Does the recent Ohio case about tobacco settlement funds apply to Wisconsin?

Many people have asked whether or not the recently decided Ohio case about state tobacco settlement funds could potentially apply to other states, such as Wisconsin.

A little background on the case would be helpful. In 2000, the Ohio state legislature placed their $230 million Big Tobacco settlement into an endowment, specifying that the money could only be used for tobacco prevention and cessation programs. Thus, when the state tried to use the money for a stimulus plan in 2008, the plaintiffs for the case sued. The plaintiffs were receiving benefits from cessation programs and felt the money should go to prevention and control programs, rather than general state funds.

The decision, handed down earlier this week, found that the legislature acted illegally when using the tobacco settlement money to fund other state programs. However the state has appealed, so the battle is far from over.

However, according to the Tobacco Legal Consortium, the Ohio case is unlikely to have legal influence on other states unless the state has a specific endowment like Ohio's already set up.

When the state of Ohio passed the law in 200o creating the "irrovocable trust", the law required that the Department of Health create an endowment specifically for the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, place the settlement money in the fund, and use the money for only the intended purpose. Because Ohio had the legal protections in place, the plaintiffs had a clearer case --- the state taking the funds was clearly illegal.

Advocates in other states could have a chance at winning a similar suit, but they would have to find a state lawmaking it illegal to use tobacco settlement money for purposes other than prevention and cessation.

We hope this clarifies some questions people had about the master settlement agreement. To read the Campaign for Tobacco free Kids' press release on the Ohio case, click here.

Verona and unincorporated Dane County smoke-free tomorrow!

Congratulations to Verona and unincorporated Dane county for going smoke-free tomorrow!

Almost one year ago, the Dane county board voted to go smoke-free in all public workplaces. Verona and Dane county will go smoke-free 11 months before the state of Wisconsin does on July 5, 2010.

Volunteers, activists, and smoke-free supporters will be celebrating at the Draft House, on 1010 Enterprise Drive, in Verona, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come join us!

E-cigs are NOT a safe alternative to cigarettes

In July, the FDA finally dispelled the rumors that e-cigarettes could be safer than regular cigarettes by releasing an analysis of the new product. The FDA's results: E-cigarettes are NOT a safe alternative to cigarettes.

The FDA study found that the products contain the poison Diethylene glycol, an ingredient in antifreeze, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, which are human carcinogens, and other harmful tobacco-specific ingredients. In addition, of the advertised non-nicotine e-cigs the FDA tested, all but one still contained low levels of the drug.

The organization Americans for Nonsmokers Rights (ANR) also published a statement expressing concern over e-cigarettes' ingredients and marketing practices.

ANR brought up their concerns with public health and cigarettes, because the e-cigarette vapors could contain dangerous chemicals. They urged public health officials to not expose workers to the vapors of e-cigarettes before they have been thoroughly tested.

Their statement said:
"We believe that public health officials should make it clear that e-cigarettes are not an acceptable substitute for tobacco products in places that the law requires to be smokefree."

ANR also voiced concerns with the marketing of e-cigarettes to children, with candy flavors such as chocolate and strawberry, clearly aimed at hooking kids and other first-time users.

For more information visit ANR's site or the FDA's results page.

Great guest editorial in the Berlin Journal

Marilyn Voeltner from Green Lake County wrote a July 30, 2009 guest column for the Berlin Journal about the Tobacco-Free Families bill and Tobacco Prevention and Control funding. The column is reprinted below. Great job Marilyn!

One step forward, two steps back
By Marilyn Voeltner, guest columnist

One step forward and two steps back. Even with the best of intentions that sometimes happens.

Consider the recent 75 cent tax increase per pack on cigarettes recently enacted by the state legislature. In theory the increase sounds good -- increasing the tax has proven to be one way to deter young smokers and low-income smokers. That's an excellent step forward.

But what the legislature failed to do was to follow past practices and reduce the discount rate cigarette distributors receive on the amount they pay for attaching the state tax stamp to cigarette packs. What this means is that tobacco companies and distributors benefit -- the additional money goes into their pockets, not into tobacco prevention programs.

In the past when tobacco taxes were increased, the discount rate was adjusted to prevent a taxpayer-funded raise to tobacco sellers. Without an adjustment, we taxpayers are effectively putting more money into the pockets of Big Tobacco.

On top of this, the state legislature recently slashed the tobacco prevention and control program nearly 55 percent to just $6.85 million. Contrast that with the $276.1 million the tobacco industry spends per year marketing its products in Wisconsin! Every dollar cut from tobacco funding means more kids using tobacco products, smokers going without the resources they need to quit and an even greater burden of tobacco on Wisconsin.

Obviously that's two steps back!

Fortunately, the Tobacco-Free Families Bill currently being introduced to the legislature is an effort to restore some of the lost funding. If passed, the bill would lower the discount on tobacco tax stamps for tobacco retailers, generating some much-needed $1.2 million for the tobacco prevention and control program.

Wisconsin's tobacco program has seen good results-- fewer kids and adults are smoking, over 132,000 people have called the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line, and as of July 5, 2010, all Wisconsin work sites will be smoke-free. Those are giant steps forward ... now is NOT the time to take two steps back.

It is crucial the legislature passes the Tobacco-Free Families Bill.

Great column in Madison Magazine about program funding

A recent editorial in Madison Magazine rightly chides Wisconsin lawmakers for cutting funding to the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program while raising the cigarette tax.

Here is an excerpt:
We have a statewide smoking ban and our cigarette tax is now $2.52 per pack. But we need the third leg of that stool. It only makes sense—it’s just too bad our lawmakers don’t seem to have any when it comes to this life and death issue.

Read the full piece here.