New report shows tobacco still a deadly problem in St. Croix County

NEW RICHMOND – A report released by the UW-Milwaukee Center for Urban Population Health provides new details on the number of Wisconsin lives taken by tobacco use—including right here in St. Croix County. The report shows that an average of 74 people in St. Croix County died annually from tobacco use during 2011-2015.

The report also shows that 12.3% of St. Croix County residents were current cigarette smokers between 2011-2015, and that 9.2% pregnant women smoked during their pregnancy.

“Our smoking rate of 12.3% compares favorably to the state rate of 17%, which tells us we’re on the right track,” said Elizabeth Hagen. “However, tobacco still takes far too many St. Croix County lives for us to stop now.” The Western Wisconsin Working for Tobacco Free Living Coalition (W3TFL) is committed to reducing tobacco’s burden in Barron, Burnett, Pierce, Polk, Rusk and St. Croix Counties.

Currently W3TFL is working to help interested apartment owners, schools, and businesses update their tobacco policies to include e-cigarettes as these products are not covered by the Smoke-Free Air laws of Wisconsin. We are also implementing youth prevention programs, like FACT and WI Wins to help keep tobacco out of the hands of our youth.

In addition to the local work of W3TFL, Wisconsin’s First Breath program is available to help pregnant women quit tobacco use. Wisconsin men and women who are ready to quit should call 1-800-QUIT NOW to receive free help and quit tobacco medications from the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line. Since it was established in 2001, the Quit Line has helped more than 200,000 callers.  

For more on local tobacco prevention control efforts:

• Visit the W3TFL website:  www.W3TFL.org

• Like us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/W3TFL

• Quitting smoking : www.wiquitline.org or Call 1-800-QUIT NOW

• First Breath:  https://www.wwhf.org/first-breath/