Gov. Doyle renews call for anti-smoking initiative
[we have received the following and are pleased to publish it here...]
MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle, speaking at the 2007 Tobacco Control and Prevention Conference today renewed his call to the state legislature to approve his comprehensive Anti-Smoking Initiative. The Governor's anti-smoking initiative, announced last January, includes plans to implement a statewide smoking ban, increase the cost of cigarettes, and expand the availability of tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
"The threat to the health of Wisconsin citizens is too significant for us to continue putting off action on this issue," Governor Doyle said. "Although we have made a great deal of progress over the last few decades, the cost of treating tobacco-related illnesses continues to drive up health care costs for everyone, and is putting a squeeze on businesses and families across Wisconsin. But beyond dollars, my plan will save lives by reducing smoking rates, particularly among youth."'
Governor Doyle called for swift action on the "Breathe Free Wisconsin Act" (S.B. 150), introduced last month by Senate President Fred Risser, which calls for smoking prohibitions that is both fair and equitable in public places and places of employment. Currently, nine other states and the District of Columbia ban smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars. Arizona is expected to join this group today.
In addition to the smoking ban, Governor Doyle has also proposed an increase in the cigarette tax by $1.25 and said he would dedicate the funds to paying the cost of tobacco-related illness.
A study from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids projects that because of this increase over 42,000 Wisconsin adults will quit smoking; over 84,000 kids in Wisconsin will never start; nearly 12,000 smoking-affected births will be avoided; and overall will result in a 20 percent reduction in the number of kids who smoke.
A recent analysis showed that Wisconsin taxpayers are forced to pay nearly $500 million every year in Medicaid costs directly related to smoking, including over $13 million per year to fight children's asthma and $10 million annually to deal with poor birth outcomes caused by smoke exposure during pregnancy.
In 2005, five states (Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington) had a cigarette tax of $2.00 or higher and 19 states and D.C. had taxes of $1.00 or more.
The 2-day Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention & Control Conference has been held annually since 2001 and seeks to continue improving the effectiveness of tobacco control programs and policies in Wisconsin. The conference hopes to provide opportunities for expanding relationships, empowering advocates and inspiring participants to continue the tobacco control movement.
MADISON - Governor Jim Doyle, speaking at the 2007 Tobacco Control and Prevention Conference today renewed his call to the state legislature to approve his comprehensive Anti-Smoking Initiative. The Governor's anti-smoking initiative, announced last January, includes plans to implement a statewide smoking ban, increase the cost of cigarettes, and expand the availability of tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
"The threat to the health of Wisconsin citizens is too significant for us to continue putting off action on this issue," Governor Doyle said. "Although we have made a great deal of progress over the last few decades, the cost of treating tobacco-related illnesses continues to drive up health care costs for everyone, and is putting a squeeze on businesses and families across Wisconsin. But beyond dollars, my plan will save lives by reducing smoking rates, particularly among youth."'
Governor Doyle called for swift action on the "Breathe Free Wisconsin Act" (S.B. 150), introduced last month by Senate President Fred Risser, which calls for smoking prohibitions that is both fair and equitable in public places and places of employment. Currently, nine other states and the District of Columbia ban smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars. Arizona is expected to join this group today.
In addition to the smoking ban, Governor Doyle has also proposed an increase in the cigarette tax by $1.25 and said he would dedicate the funds to paying the cost of tobacco-related illness.
A study from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids projects that because of this increase over 42,000 Wisconsin adults will quit smoking; over 84,000 kids in Wisconsin will never start; nearly 12,000 smoking-affected births will be avoided; and overall will result in a 20 percent reduction in the number of kids who smoke.
A recent analysis showed that Wisconsin taxpayers are forced to pay nearly $500 million every year in Medicaid costs directly related to smoking, including over $13 million per year to fight children's asthma and $10 million annually to deal with poor birth outcomes caused by smoke exposure during pregnancy.
In 2005, five states (Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington) had a cigarette tax of $2.00 or higher and 19 states and D.C. had taxes of $1.00 or more.
The 2-day Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention & Control Conference has been held annually since 2001 and seeks to continue improving the effectiveness of tobacco control programs and policies in Wisconsin. The conference hopes to provide opportunities for expanding relationships, empowering advocates and inspiring participants to continue the tobacco control movement.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 1:12 PM
1 Comments:
There was no mistaking Gov. Doyle's intent after his speech on Tuesday. We are tackling Big Tobacco here in Wisconsin. It was such a boost to the movement to hear him promote all three points of his plan so strongly! I was also really glad to hear him say it wouldn't make sense to exempt taverns from the smoke-free law. There are already 19 states with comprehensive smoke-free laws - I hope Wisconsin can be the 20th!
http://smokefreewisconsin.blogspot.com
Post a Comment
<< Home