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The annual American Lung Association State of Tobacco Control: 2006 report has been released.  This national report card analyzes state tobacco control laws in four key areas—smokefree air, tobacco program funding, cigarette excise taxes and youth access to tobacco.  Grades in Wisconsin have stagnated with little meaningful legislation occuring in the past several years.  Wisconsin scored grades of  "D" in cigarette excise tax, "F" in tobacco prevention and control spending, "F" in smokefree air and "D" for its laws on youth access to tobacco.

This report is a call to action to the legislature and Governor Doyle about the true status of tobacco control in Wisconsin. Our cigarette tax is below the national average and ranks 30th nationwide. Studies show that when the price of cigarettes goes up, youth smoking rates go down. In fact, for every 10 percent increase in price, youth smoking rates will drop by about 7 percent.

Revenues from cigarette excise taxes can fund tobacco prevention and education programs and valuable health care programs. States that fund and implement strong comprehensive tobacco control programs have achieved significant reductions in tobacco use among both adults and youth. A reduction in tobacco use saves thousands of lives and produces enormous declines in state health care costs and other tobacco-related expenditures.

Please take a moment to send the attached letter to your legislators and Governor Doyle to increase the cigarette tax in Wisconsin by $1.00.