New resources to promote the smoke-free law now available!

1. Postcard for businesses: http://tobwis.org/uploads/media/wibettersmokefree_postcard_biz.pdf

• Targeted at Wisconsin business owners and managers, this postcard highlights several of the free resources for businesses that are available on WIBetterSmokeFree.com. Features a photo from Milwaukee's Michigan Street Diner.

2. Postcard for celebrators: http://tobwis.org/uploads/media/wibettersmokefree_postcard_celebrate.pdf

• This postcard helps people who are excited about the new law find tools to help them celebrate July 5th on WIBetterSmokeFree.com.

3. How-to sheet: Using an Email Signature for Promotion: http://tobwis.org/uploads/media/Promoting_events_with_email_signature.pdf

• This resource shares several examples of how to use an email signature to promote a coalition or event.

4. How-to sheet: Using a Facebook Event for Promotion: http://tobwis.org/uploads/media/Facebook_event_how-to.pdf

• This resource lists step-by-step instructions on how to use Facebook's Events feature to organize an event (such as a July 5th implementation party) and promote it to a large group of people.

U.S. cigarette brands tops in cancer causing chemicals – Paging Dr. Gupta - CNN.com Blogs

A recent study shows that among all international and domestic brands US cigarette brands contain more cancer causing agents. The study recruited smokers from the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK. Through examining urine, cigarette butts, and mouth swabs scientists determined that US brands contain more tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA), the major cause of cancer in tobacco products.

To read the full article check out the link below:

U.S. cigarette brands tops in cancer causing chemicals – Paging Dr. Gupta - CNN.com Blogs

Media Campaign Announcement

This morning at the Market Street Diner in Sun Prairie, the Department of Health Services Sec. Timberlake announced the start of the statewide media campaign creating awareness about the new smoke-free air law. The campaign will feature print, on-line, and radio spots all across the state. Unfortunately there will not be any TV ads due to significantly reduced funds in tobacco control. Read the full press release click here.

To see some of the ads visit www.WiBetterSmokeFree.com!

Comment Policy

SmokeFree Wisconsin has hosted an organizational blog for a few years now.  It seems like a good time to remind people about the rules of engagement on our blog.

We follow fairly standard internet protocol with regard to comments:

• Stay on topic: Comments should be made on the topic which is being discussed. Repetition should be avoided.
• Be respectful: We encourage genuine discussion and respectful disagreement on this blog. Personal attacks and aggressive or threatening  comments will not be posted
• No spam: Comments which intend to direct readers to a product or service will be rejected.

Please note our blog is not geared towards a "public debate" of tobacco control. This is a blog which shares resources, ideas, and relevant news within the Wisconsin Tobacco Control Movement. Readers from outside of Wisconsin are certainly encouraged, as we try to discuss tobacco-related issues that are national interest.  

$250 Million Loophole in Child Health Law

Back in February 2009, President Obama signed the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Bill into law. This was a program that expanded healthcare coverage for children by increasing the Federal Tobacco Tax by $.62. According to a recent Associated Press article a large loophole left in the law has cost the government nearly $250 Million in the first year. The so-called loophole is around the labeling and taxation of roll your own and pipe tobacco. Roll your own tobacco was included in a large increase while pipe tobacco was not. Companies simply changed the name of their product and avoided the increased tax. 

During the last year there have been record increases in the sale of pipe tobacco while there has been a significant drop-off in the sales of roll your own tobacco. As discussed on our blog what really is the difference between these two products?


In the interest in tax fairness this loophole needs to be closed. 
To read the AP article click here.