Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Your neighborhood. Your News.

Milwaukee NNSnewsMilwaukee NNSSearch
Subscribe to NNS today!
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
    • Arts and Recreation
    • Community
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Health and Wellness
    • Housing
    • Public Safety
    • NNS Spotlight
    • Special Report
  • Posts From Community
    • Submit a Story
  • Community Voices
  • How To
  • Multimedia
    • NNS Local Video
    • Photos
    • NNS on Lake Effect
    • NNS WGLB 1560 Radio
  • Subscribe
  • Donate
  • About
    • Staff
    • Partners
    • News 414
    • The neighborhoods we cover
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service

Diederich College of Communication, Marquette University


Language: English English Spanish Spanish

You are here: Home / Posts from Community / Smoking is down statewide, but new numbers show tobacco affects some more than others

Smoking is down statewide, but new numbers show tobacco affects some more than others

November 19, 2015 by Community Advocates Leave a Comment

Share this...
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

The Great American Smokeout is Thursday November 19. This year, there’s both good and bad news when it comes to tobacco use in Wisconsin. The good news is that according to new data from the state’s Department of Health Services, overall smoking in Wisconsin sits at an all-time low of 17%. The bad news? The same data show Wisconsin’s most vulnerable populations smoking at alarming rates.

The Department’s 2014 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) reports that the following groups smoke at rates nearly double the state average of 17%:

  • Individuals earning an income of less than $24,000
  • Individuals with less than a high school degree
  • African Americans
  • Individuals enrolled in Medicaid

“While these findings aren’t entirely surprising given previous data, it is unacceptable that the disparities are still growing year after year and warrants immediate action” said Deb Heffner, Coordinator for the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance. “We cannot stand by and accept that an individual is more prone to smoke or have any other health disadvantages because of the race or zip code they were born into or because of any other socially determined circumstance.”

In addition to the groups listed above, adults that identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer/Questioning are as much as 40% more likely to smoke than the general public. Also, nearly a third of Wisconsin adults diagnosed with depression currently smoke.

Here in Milwaukee the City of Milwaukee Tobacco-Free Alliance is taking steps to address tobacco-related disparities through a comprehensive approach that includes education and collaboration. We draw on the best practices of coalition work, utilizing individuals and community partners to reach these vulnerable populations and ensure they have a voice. One example we are proud of is the development of a workgroup to specifically address the LGBTQ+ disparities, which is comprised of stakeholders and representatives from LGBTQ+ communities and serving organizations.

Heffner stresses the urgency of the work. “Tobacco still remains the number one leading cause of preventable death in the United States today, and costs us over $170 billion in healthcare each year. Health equity can be achieved by eliminating differences in tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke between groups. It starts with awareness to these disparities and then well -enforced and comprehensive tobacco control policies.”

For more on the City of Milwaukee’s efforts to address tobacco use in Wisconsin, visit our website or find us on Facebook. If you use tobacco and want to quit, call the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT NOW for free help and medications.

Share this...
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on LinkedIn
Linkedin

Filed Under: Posts from Community

About Community Advocates

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Recent News

UPDATE: Housing leaders say rental assistance funds are still available for Milwaukee County residents

5 things to know and do the weekend of Jan. 27

These students don’t have to miss school to see the doctor. They can just go down the hall.

Advertisement
Give today to support our mission. Donate to Milwaukee NNS.
Advertisement

News

  • Arts and Recreation
  • Economic Development
  • Education
  • Health and Wellness
  • Housing
  • Public Safety
  • NNS Spotlight
  • Special Reports

Engage with us

  • Posts from Community
  • Community Voices
  • Submit a Story

About NNS

  • Milwaukee NNS Staff
  • Partners
  • News414
  • The neighborhoods we cover
  • Careers
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS feed

Communities

Contact

mailing address
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Diederich College of Communication
Marquette University
1131 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Johnston Hall 430
Milwaukee, WI 53233

email
info@milwaukeenns.org

phone & fax
PHONE: 414.604.6397 FAX: 414.288.6494


Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service is a project of Diederich College of Communication and Marquette University.
© 2020 Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. Terms of use.
1131 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee WI 53233 • info@milwaukeenns.org

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in