APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) Wisconsin is getting a failing grade for helping people kick the habit. The American Lung Association released its annual tobacco report card. Looking at all 50 states, Wisconsin got an "F" for smoking cessation programs. We also failed at tobacco prevention and control funding.
The Dairy State has one of the highest tobacco tax rates in the country: $2.52 a pack. But a lot of that funding goes toward covering health care costs and not prevention and education.
Local experts with Community Action for Healthy Living say there are also loopholes with some tobacco products that aren't taxed, like chewing tobacco, cigars, cigarillos, candy flavored products. High prices on cigarettes is one reason youth smoking rates have dropped to their lowest levels in state history. But there's concern for those products that aren't taxed.
The American Lung Association is calling on the Walker Administration to raise taxes on all tobacco products.
