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Wis. tobacco policies get mixed marks  

Wisconsin earned mixed grades for tobacco control in a nationwide report recently released, with a failing grade in tobacco prevention and control spending and an improved grade in cigarette tax policy.

The American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control Report graded the 50 states along with Washington, D.C., in four categories -- tobacco prevention and control spending, smoke-free air, cigarette tax and cessation coverage.

Wisconsin received an F in tobacco prevention and control spending as the state cut the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program's funding 55 percent in the 2009 budget, according to the report. Wisconsin is among nine states and Washington, D.C., to reduce spending more than 25 percent. . . .

Amy Wergin, Manitowoc County public health nurse, said the grades did not surprise her and called the budget cuts tragic for tobacco control.

"I think they (grades) are honest and that we really are doing a bad job related to tobacco control and spending," Wergin said. "I don't think our grade in tobacco prevention and control will be any better next year because the state won't work on a new budget since it's biannual."

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