Tobacco Articles: state WI

Some Wisconsin Smokers Defying Smoking Ban

msaxenmeyer@kstp.com (Mark Saxenmeyer) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

In Burnett County, Wisconsin, there's a battle of the butts going on--cigarette butts, that is. It seems some locals say the state smoking ban isn't being fairly enforced. Two distinct battlegrounds have taken shape--and the county sheriff is caught in the middle. Acting on a tip, 5 Eyewitness News checked out a bar called Midtown Tavern in the tiny town of Siren, Wisconsin. At noon on a weekday, outside cars were lining up; inside, the patrons were lighting up. The owner tells newcomers: "I hope you guys don't mind smoking. I do allow smoking in the bar." KSTP's undercover cameras watched the bar fill with more customers, more cigarettes, and more smoke for more than half an hour before a reporter asked those in the bar if they were at all concerned about breaking the law. The owner of the bar said that since the smoking ban took effect in July 2010 law enforcers have fined him twice -- both times because someone complained. He paid hundreds of dollars, but he continues to allow the smoking, he says, because enforcing the ban hurt his business by as much as 20 percent. According to customer Rick Dahlstrom, "He (the owner) loses customers. It's just a fact. People will go to a bar where they can smoke because most drinkers are smokers."

Some Wisconsin Smokers Defying Smoking Ban

msaxenmeyer@kstp.com (Mark Saxenmeyer) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

In Burnett County, Wisconsin, there's a battle of the butts going on--cigarette butts, that is. It seems some locals say the state smoking ban isn't being fairly enforced. Two distinct battlegrounds have taken shape--and the county sheriff is caught in the middle. Acting on a tip, 5 Eyewitness News checked out a bar called Midtown Tavern in the tiny town of Siren, Wisconsin. At noon on a weekday, outside cars were lining up; inside, the patrons were lighting up. The owner tells newcomers: “I hope you guys don't mind smoking. I do allow smoking in the bar.” KSTP’s undercover cameras watched the bar fill with more customers, more cigarettes, and more smoke for more than half an hour before a reporter asked those in the bar if they were at all concerned about breaking the law. The owner of the bar said that since the smoking ban took effect in July 2010 law enforcers have fined him twice -- both times because someone complained. He paid hundreds of dollars, but he continues to allow the smoking, he says, because enforcing the ban hurt his business by as much as 20 percent.

LATHEN: Tobacco is NOT an equal opportunity addictor OR killer

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Tobacco related disparities are no accident. Armed with targeted marketing strategies, cigarettes and a whole line of addictive OTPs (other tobacco products), the tobacco industry’s tactics intentionally cause a higher burden on some populations than on others. Smoking cigarettes leads to many health problems, including cancer, and many of us know one or more of these risks. But most people aren’t familiar with OTPs and the risks associated with using them. Packaged and flavored like candy, OTPs are noncigarette products that range from little cigars and Swisher Sweets to smokeless products like Orbs, which look like Tic Tacs. Cigarettes and OTPs are not marketed or taxed equally, resulting in many tobacco related disparities. . . . Tax equity, as we call it, would tax OTPs at the equivalent of $2.52 per cigarette pack. If Wisconsin taxed all tobacco products the same it would make it harder for youth and low-income residents to purchase these addictive products, and it would generate tax dollars to help balance the state budget and supplement the TPCP budget. Tobacco use goes beyond affecting the individual smokers. It affects communities in many ways, and some communities experience more adversity because of higher cigarette and OTP usage. As a community it is our responsibility to work towards reducing tobacco harm because tobacco companies certainly aren’t looking out for our health. Make a difference by writing to your legislatures today about how cigarettes and OTPs affect people in your community.

Oregon school district faces lawsuit

jbeard@wkowtv.com (John Beard) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

An attorney for Disability Rights Wisconsin claims the state law that allows school districts to deny enrollment to students who have been expelled from another district is unconstitutional . . . Oregon School District is named in the lawsuit for denying enrollment to a student who was expelled from a Janesville school after serving several suspensions for allegations of sexual assault and possessing tobacco.

UW-Eau Claire drafting new tobacco policy in light of contradiction

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Phil Rynish, the university's student president, acknowledges the ashtrays and nearby anti-smoking signs present a persistent reminder that the campus's current smoking policy is "broken." It's a problem he said a committee on campus hopes to fix soon when it completes a set of recommended changes to the school's smoking rules. Early last year, Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich formed the committee - comprising four staff members and a student, Rynish - to draft recommended changes to the smoking policy. Teresa O'Halloran, special assistant to the chancellor, said this week the committee was nearly done drafting its recommendation and expected to meet with Levin-Stankevich by the end of this month to discuss it. She said the university hopes to enact a revised smoking policy by the end of this semester. O'Halloran said the recommendation isn't public yet, and she declined to release a copy of the committee's work. Rynish also declined to discuss the proposal.

Many Women Smoke During Pregnancy in Marathon County

leah.kraus@wsaw.com (Reporter: Leah Kraus) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Experts in Marathon County are sharing some shocking news about the number of women using tobacco during pregnancy. The data, from the Marathon County Life Report, says almost a fifth of women who give birth in the county use tobacco. "The state rate for pregnant women who smoke is quite high, but in Marathon County we even have a higer rate than the state," says Public Health Educator, Renee Trowbridge. "But yeah when you see a pregnant woman smoking that just goes to show how strong the addiction is."

Woman cited after cigarette sparks small fire

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

A 42-year-old Sheboygan woman was cited Thursday after a carelessly handled cigarette sparked a small fire in her apartment. The fire was reported about 9:45 a.m. at 2732 N. 10th St., Shift Commander Dean Klein said in a news release. . . . A Sheboygan Police Department arrest log said Ann M. Jacobs was cited for careless use of smoking materials.

Group: 18 county retailers sold tobacco to minors

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Eighteen Sheboygan County retailers sold tobacco to underage buyers last year in a series of compliance checks by a state advocacy group. The Wisconsin Wins program had minors attempt 82 purchases in the county, the group said in a press release. The failure rate of 22 percent is up from 2010 and marks the third straight increase in Sheboygan County. Jessica Dalske, group spokeswoman, said the county registered failure rates of 17.8 percent in 2010 and 3.8 percent in 2009.

LATHEN: The gift of smoke-free living spaces

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

But what if we could give a gift that goes well beyond the temporary pleasures of a material item? The Smoke-free air law was certainly a huge stride in protecting Wisconsinites from the harmful affects of secondhand smoke. But what’s next for building healthier lifestyles in our communities? Wisconsin’s law, which took effect July 5th of 2010, protects citizens in public but not in private. Therefore, as one next step to creating healthier lifestyles, we can create smoke-free living spaces. The holiday season is a great time to start embracing smoke-free lifestyles. What better gift to give than to protect those you love from secondhand smoke?

BERNIER: Guest Commentary: Support those who try to stop smoking

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

This holiday season, support someone quitting tobacco and protect everyone from secondhand smoke in homes and vehicles. Family members, friends and neighbors can help motivate those who have quit tobacco to maintain their tobacco-free lifestyles. . . . If you or someone you know is interested in quitting, please contact the WI Quit Line at WiQuitLine.org or by calling 1-800-784-8669. WI Quit Line is still offering a two-week free supply of nicotine replacement products. Cancer.org has quit information as well as a "Quit for Life" Facebook page that offers great online social support. Smokefree.gov gives information on their "text to quit program." For more information on quitting tobacco or tobacco control initiatives in Fond du Lac County, contact Sandy Bernier at (920) 906-5537.

Study: 70% of smokers in Wisconsin want to quit

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Dr. Michael Fiore of the UW Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program says the number of people who smoke has been steadily declining. It's now around 20% of adults. For those who expect trouble, he suggests the Tobacco Quit Line for free counseling and nicotine patches. Fiore says studies have found that 70% of current smokers in Wisconsin do want to quit.

LETTER: Alan Selk: Eliminate tax on smokeless tobacco to improve Wisconsinites’ health

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

Dear Editor: This is concerning Jeff Golden’s recent opinion piece on big tobacco. The piece contains many misconceptions and flat-out lies about new tobacco products. Golden claims products like snus and dissolvables can be bought alongside candy bars, which is simply not true. . . . We should be encouraging smokers unable to quit to switch to less harmful products. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is doing exactly the wrong thing when it comes to tobacco. Wisconsin has the highest smokeless tobacco tax in the country. This works against public health by discouraging people to switch to less-harmful products. If we really wanted to improve the health of the people of Wisconsin, a good place to start would be to eliminate the tax on smokeless. From there we can start telling the truth on just how dramatically less harmful smokeless tobacco really is compared to smoking.

Jeff Golden replies: The June 22, 2010, FDA ruling dictates that only cigarettes and chewing tobacco be behind the counter. It does not regulate any other tobacco product placement. I have personally observed these products placed side by side with candy at convenience stores. Although some argue that smokeless tobacco products are safer than cigarettes, the average cigarette contains 1 milligram of nicotine, and RJ Reynolds product information sheets state that one Camel Orb contains 1 milligram of nicotine and one Camel Stick contains 3.1 milligrams. Smokeless products are far from harmless. Finally, I am not calling for a ban on these products, just some regulation on how and to whom they are being marketed. Bottom line, I have solid info to back my claims. The real, and ignored, aspect of the story is the shameless marketing to young people.

IN RE: LIGHT CIGARETTES MARKETING SALES PRACTICES LITIGATION

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

The Plaintiffs brought class actions on behalf of purchasers of light cigarettes manufactured by Philip Morris USA, Inc. and Altria Group, Inc. (the Defendants). On September 10, 2009, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) transferred the actions to this Court for [*4] centralization under 28 U.S.C. § 1407. MDL Transfer Order (Docket # 1). After transfer, each side agreed to submit two test cases to determine issues involving class certification. Minute Entry (Docket # 28); Status Conference Transcript at 28-42 (Docket # 29). The Plaintiffs picked California and Washington, D.C. and the Defendants Illinois and Maine. Notice/Correspondence (Docket # 47, 108). On November 24, 2010, the Court issued an Order concluding that common issues did not predominate and it denied class certification for all four classes. Order on Pls.' Mot. for Class Certification (Docket # 255). In April 2011, the Court ordered Plaintiffs to notify the Court by May 16, 2011 as to whether they intended to proceed with the pending action and whether they objected to the extension of the Court's class certification order to their case. Order (Docket # 277). A number of Plaintiffs elected to request dismissal of their claims. Report to Ct. Requesting Dismissal of Claims Without Prejudice (Docket # 280, 283, 286); Order of Dismissal (Docket # 295); Order (Docket # 305). Some Plaintiffs, however, preferred to continue with their civil actions, requested remand, and objected to the [*5] extension of the class certification order to their cases. . . . III. CONCLUSION The Court GRANTS the Plaintiffs' Notice of Intent to Proceed and Objection to Extension of Class Certification Order Dated Nov. 24, 2010 (Docket # 279); Notice [*14] of Motion for Suggestion of Remand (Docket # 282); Notice of Intent to Proceed and Objection to Extension of Class Certification Order Dated Nov. 24, 2010 (Docket # 284, 285); Plaintiff's Motion That the Court Suggest Remand (Docket # 292); Plaintiffs' Notice of Intent to Proceed and Objection to the Extension of This Court's Order on Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification to Their Case Together with Plaintiffs' Request for a Suggestion of Remand (Docket # 293). The Court DENIES the Defendants' Motion for Leave to File Surreply in Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion for Suggestion of Remand and in Support of Extending the Court's Order Denying Class Certification (Docket # 312) and their request for oral argument (Docket # 299).

Philip Morris Can't Kill Light Cigarettes Suits At MDL Level ($$)

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

A Maine federal judge on Monday ruled that multidistrict litigation accusing Philip Morris USA Inc. of deceiving customers about tar and nicotine levels in its light cigarettes should come to an end, suggesting that the remaining four suits in the MDL be remanded to Ohio and other states. Philip Morris had fought the order. The tobacco company asked U.S. District Judge John Woodcock instead to deny the cases class certification by extending to them a November 2010 order in which he denied certification to four test cases in the MDL. But Judge Woodcock declined to extend his class certification order to the four remaining cases. . . . “From this court’s perspective, the light cigarettes litigation has reached the point where this court’s continued oversight of the pretrial proceedings is no longer justified," he said. "There are only four remaining cases, and in each, the plaintiffs reasonably claim that the class certification issues present case-specific questions unique to the state law of their respective jurisdictions. The court concludes that the efficiencies of consolidated handling of pretrial matters have reached the point of diminishing returns.”

‘Spark’ aims to light up the debate on a tobacco-free campus

Krivit/elise.krivit@marquette.edu (Andrea Anderson) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 GMT

For weeks, nothing’s there; then, suddenly, they’re everywhere. Circles of faded chalk, a measurable distance from campus buildings, with reminders about Marquette’s smoking policy. Less visible are the people who make them. But Spark, a campus organization seeking to spread the word on the risks of tobacco, is hoping to make a more visible mark on Marquette’s campus — one sidewalk at a time. Spark, formerly known as the Marquette University Tobacco Coalition, became a campus organization in 2008. The group is effectively a branch of the American Lung Association of Wisconsin and the Tobacco Control Resource Center for Wisconsin. The organization’s goals are to make Marquette a tobacco-free campus and promote a tobacco-free lifestyle to students and staff, according to its organization description.