Saturday, July 5^th will mark the fourth anniversary of Wisconsin’s smoke-free workplace law.  Local health advocates say the law has made an enormous impact and has drastically improved the state’s health.

“This law has protected employees and customers from the effects of secondhand smoke,”said Lorraine Lathen, Representative of the Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network (WAATPN).  “Research has shown that since Wisconsin went smoke-free in 2010, employees and customers are 89 percent healthier.”

Research has shown that working in a smoke-free environment has resulted in several health improvements for customers and employees. For example, bartenders who have been exposed to second-hand smoke while at work reported that they had a decrease in respiratory symptoms.

Wisconsin has enjoyed clear gains thanks to four years of smoke-free workplaces, including a significant drop in respiratory health symptoms and improvement in air quality.

“As a result of the law, smoke-free air is now the standard in Milwaukee,” Kevin Reeder, Representative of the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Poverty Network (WTPPN) explained.  “Nine out of 10 Wisconsinites go out more often since the state has gone smoke-free. People enjoy smoke-free air and they expect it where they live, work and play.”

Reeder also encourages using the Smoke-Free Anniversary as an opportunity for smokers to kick their addiction to tobacco.  Help is available to individuals who want to quit by calling the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT NOW.

For more information, visit the following links:

• Wisconsin’s Smoke-Free Air Law – www.wibettersmokefree.com
• Quitting Tobacco Use – www.wiquitline.org
• Local Tobacco Prevention and Control Efforts:

https://www.facebook.com/WiTPPN

https://www.facebook.com/WAATPN