Jump to full article: Wisconsin Radio Network, 2009-07-01
Author: Andrew Beckett
Intro: Wisconsin is just one year away from implementation of a statewide smoking ban and smokers will start paying even more for cigarettes in September.
Dr. Michael Fiore with the UW Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention says those factors will likely encourage many people to quit for good, so they can save money or don't have to deal with the inconvenience of not being able to smoke in a tavern.�
However, smokers looking to kick the habit may have trouble getting help. The state budget increases the per pack cigarette tax by 75 cents, resulting in $700 million in excise taxes for the state each year. But the budget also cut back on funding tobacco prevention and intervention programs.
Fiore says smokers are being asked to help the state remain solvent while addicted to a drug, and we need to provide them with the resources to break free
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