New Cigarette health Warnings
Beginning September 2012, FDA will require larger, more prominent cigarette health warnings on all cigarette packaging and advertisements in the United States. These warnings mark the first change in cigarette warnings in more than 25 years and are a significant advancement in communicating the dangers of smoking. The introduction of these warnings is expected to have a significant public health impact by decreasing the number of smokers, resulting in lives saved, increased life expectancy, and lower medical costs.
local underage tobacco sales decrease
Fourth Year of Decline Reported for Madison & Dane County (PDF) (4/4/2011)
Wisconsin Department of health services news release
Study Shows Dramatic Air Quality Improvement Because of Smoke-Free Law (12/14/2010)
Smoke-Free Laws Protect Kids
The evidence for smoke free workplace laws continues to grow.
In case you missed it, a recent New England Journal of Medicine study looking at Scotland showed a positive impact from that country’s smoke-free law, particularly in reducing hospital admissions for childhood asthma. The study found that childhood hospitalizations from asthma dropped 13% after the country’s law took effect in 2006.
Kids exposed to secondhand smoke are more prone to asthma attacks, bronchitis, pneumonia and ear infections. That’s especially important for Wisconsin, as we currently rank fifth nationally in childhood exposure to secondhand smoke at around 10.5% according to the UW Carbone Cancer Center. That’s about 40% over the national average.
The good news is that our kids will be protected from secondhand smoke in public places thanks to our new statewide smoke-free workplace law. The results of the Scotland study offer further proof of what many of us have known for some time - by going smoke-free, Wisconsin did the right thing for the state’s health, and the health of our children.
The new smoke-free law is a win-win for everyone, particularly our kids.
