Tobacco Prevention & Control Program

Jon Richards Op-Ed: One year in, smoke-free law a success

"On July 5 we celebrated the one-year anniversary of implementation of the Smoke-Free Wisconsin Act, which ensures smoke-free air in restaurants, bars and workplaces across the state. As lead co-sponsor of the law, I'm proud to say that one year in, the law already has been a roaring success. Now workers in the service industry who are most at risk of exposure to secondhand smoke no longer have to choose between their health and a paycheck."

Read more here.

UWM Study: Clean Air Means Better Health for Bartenders

Since the implementation of the Wisconsin Smoke-Free Act in July 2010, Wisconsin bartenders are feeling healthier and living lives with decreased effects of secondhand smoke, according to a new study by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center for Urban Initiatives and Research. Read more.

Recent clean-air reports:

  • An Analysis of the Economic Effects of Wisconsin’s Smokefree Municipal Ordinances on Alcohol Licensed Establishments: 2005-2009 (PDF)
  • Indoor Air Quality in Bars and Restaurants
    Before and After Implementation of the
    Smoke-Free Wisconsin Act, 2010 (PDF)

Wisconsin Bar Owners Talk About Smoke-Free Law!

Join the Milwaukee Smoke-Free Alliance!

The Milwaukee Smoke-Free Alliance is a coalition of local advocates working together for a healthier, safer, smoke-free Milwaukee. In 2011 the Alliance will advocate for tobacco-free policies, work to reduce youth access to tobacco and ensure that Milwaukee stays smoke-free.

Sign up to become a member of the Alliance here.

Recent Smoke-Free News Reports
 
WISN-12 recently did a report on area bars who are not in complinace with the state clean-air law. To report a violation, visit WisconsinBetterSmokeFree.org.  

Air quality in Wisconsin restaurants and bars improved by more than 92% after a statewide smoking ban went into effect July 5, according to a study released Wednesday by the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.

The study analyzed air-quality data from 214 bars and restaurants where smoking was allowed in 41 counties throughout Wisconsin, both before and after the state smoking ban was implemented for bars, restaurants and other enclosed work spaces.

Read the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article here. Watch the WISN-12 story here.

Milwaukee Common Council Passes Anti-Smoking Ordinance

On July 27, the Milwaukee Common Council passed by a 12-3 vote an ordinance that prohibits smoking in bars, restaurants and all other workplaces in the City of Milwaukee. On July 29 Mayor Tom Barrett signed the ordinance, which was co-sponsored by Aldermen Terry Witkowski and Michael Murphy, into law. Read more here.

Wisconsin Now Smoke-Free

On July 5, the Wisconsin Smoke-Free Act took effect, prohibiting smoking in bars, restaurants and all other workplaces. To commemorate this important new law, Community Advocates organized a celebration at Von Trier Tavern on Milwaukee's East Side.

Video:

Individuals wishing to report smoking violations should call the statewide complaint phone line at 1-800-NO-SMOKE or visit www.WIBetterSmokeFree.org.

Milwaukee suffers 730 smoking-related deaths each year, a full 15 percent of the city's deaths overall, according to the 2010 Burden of Tobacco Report recently released by the American Cancer Society and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Background

In April 2010 the Community Advocates Public Policy Institute was selected by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to lead the Milwaukee operation of the state’s Tobacco Prevention & Control Program.

Community Advocates’ primary responsibility is to help implement the Wisconsin Smoke-Free Act in Milwaukee, a new law which went into effect July 5, 2010, prohibiting smoking in bars, restaurants and all other workplaces in Wisconsin.

Community Advocates Public Policy Institute staff will also:

  • Conduct outreach and education to the media, workplaces, key local and state leaders, and the general public to ensure broad compliance with the Wisconsin Smoke-Free Act.
  • Build a grassroots coalition of Milwaukee-area tobacco prevention and control supporters trying to eliminate the death and disease caused by tobacco use.
  • Engage youth in activities supportive of tobacco control and prevention, including community outreach and education.
  • Conduct compliance checks of local tobacco retailers to limit tobacco sales to underage consumers.

Recent Media Coverage: