This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
Wisconsin gets failing grades for anti-smoking efforts
The American Lung Association says the state of
You know what means. The Association most assuredly will cry for a huge increase in spending despite the whopping state deficit.
On its website, the Association notes that state funding for tobacco control programs during fiscal year 2011 is $6.85 million (just over $9 million if you toss in federal dollars). The Centers for Disease Control recommends the state spend far more. Try $64.3 million. That’s crazy.
Who doesn’t know that smoking is bad for you? Increasing spending by ten-fold won’t solve the problem.
I’ve always been amused by supporters of jacking up our cigarette tax. We have to, they cry, because we need more money to fund our cessation programs. Well if higher cigarette taxes are the solution, wouldn't fewer people smoke, resulting in less money for those precious programs?
Not surprisingly, the state gets a “B” for its cigarette tax on the Association’s latest report card.
So, all you stinkin' smokers, it's the government's fault. I wonder how the American Lung Association would grade its own efforts.
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