Most of us would agree that peanut butter and jelly go hand-in-hand, but what about children and tobacco? Sadly the tobacco industry is after our children, but our state’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program works to keep tobacco away from children. Through the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network (WAATPN), my daughter and I participated in the Wisconsin Wins program—a program that has reduced youth access to tobacco from 33 percent in 2002 to 4.7 percent in 2010—and I was amazed by what I learned and by what we experienced.
I really enjoyed the work we did for the WI Wins; however, I was disappointed with the number of stores that sold cigarettes to my 16 year-old daughter and her 15 year-old friend. Out of the 27 stores we went to 7 of them sold cigarettes to them. One store even sold cigars to my daughter’s friend even after he stated that he was not 18yrs old and showed him his I.D., which showed that he was only 15. I was glad to know that the storeowner received a fine and a suspension.
As parents, we need all the help we can get when it comes to protecting our kids from the real dangers of tobacco. That’s why I’m thankful for the state’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. Because of this program we have the WAATPN, WI Wins and other programs that work to keep cigarettes and other tobacco products out of our children’s hands.
Money is tight right now, and I get that, but as parents we must insist on continued state financial support for the program—even during these difficult economic times. Our children’s lives may very well depend on it.
I think our state programs are great, and I can’t wait to participate in Wisconsin Wins again. As the saying goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” So we all have to do our part to help protect all children from the threat of cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Thank you,
Angel Flemister
WI Wins Adult Participant
5467 N. 57th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53218
