EDITORIAL: Wisconsin could attempt more to curb smoking

Talk about it

If a new report is to believed, Wisconsin is doing a poor job trying to encourage people to stop smoking.

The American Lung Association released its “State of Tobacco Control 2012 Report” last week. It was the 10th year such a report has been compiled.

According to the report, the good news is that the federal government made major advances in the effort to save lives.

The not-so-good news is that too many states, including Wisconsin, are lagging behind in combatting the “tobacco epidemic.”

Smoking opponents in the state have scored major victories in reducing smoking through a higher cigarette tax to $2.52 per pack and a statewide smokefree air law.

But the report gave Wisconsin an “F” for its cessation efforts (providing support for those who hope to quit smoking) and for overall anti-tobacco funding for prevention.

There is no longer any excuse to ignore the continuing problem of tobacco use and its impact on our state and nation. Wisconsin should resolve to be a leader in combatting tobacco in 2012 and take steps to achieve that goal by the time next year’s American Lung Association report is released.

Tags: opinion, editorials