Dear Editor,
For those who might have missed it, the American Lung Association just released its “State of Tobacco Control ” report – and Wisconsin grades are once again a mixed bag.
First, the good news.
Wisconsin received an “A” for our smoke-free air law and a “B” for our cigarette tax rate, currently the eighth highest in the country.
The not so good news? We received an “F” for spending on our state’s tobacco prevention and control program.
I conduct outreach for a youth tobacco prevention program on Milwaukee’s south side. Our program has dealt with large budget cuts in recent years. This is despite the fact that we are serving a population that has been disproportionately harmed by many societal ills, including tobacco use (Twenty four percent of Hispanics smoke).
To make matters worse, low SES neighborhoods, such as the one we serve, are a favorite target for corporate tobacco’s deceptive marketing ads and practices. I find it especially disturbing when I visit a local store and see that candy flavored tobacco products are as easy to reach as a pack of bubble gum.
The tobacco industry currently spends $233 million in Wisconsin to peddle its destructive products. Compare that to the $5.3 million Wisconsin spends to fight tobacco and it’s clear that a greater investment is necessary.
State tobacco prevention and control programs are incredibly effective and desperately needed. Nearly a million Wisconsinites still smoke, and over 7,000 kids become daily smokers each year, including many from my neighborhood.
Sincerely,
Edgar Mendez
Milwaukee