Cigarette use increases among state residents
Madison, WI (AP 11/93)

Reversing 6 years of decline, cigarette use increased in WI during fiscal 1992 despite higher taxes and public education warnings of health hazards, state officials say.

Figures analyzed by the state Division of Health showed there were 96 packs of cigarettes sold for every man and woman in the state from July 1, 1991, to June 30, 1992.

That compares to 94 packs for every adult in fiscal year 1990, but remains far below the 106 packs sold per capita in fiscal 1984, said Patrick Remington, the division's chief medical officer for chronic diseases.

Remington said WI has been making less progress than the rest of the nation in cutting down on smoking.

"We're declining, but the rest of the U.S. is declining faster. And that's disconcerting," he said. "Also, in the last two years we've sold more."

WI's smoking rate was ranked 19th in the nation - 25.7% of the population - according to statistics released last week by federal and state officials.

The state's smoking rate has declined about 0.3% a year, compared to a 0.5% drop nationwide, Remington said Monday.

He analyzed state smoking trends in an article in this month's WI Medical Journal.

Consumption information is based on tax revenue data that is compiled annually by the Tobacco Institute, a trade organization based in Washington, D.C.

Although more men and women in WI say they are former smokers than current ones, the new data shows a need for more work to make people aware of the health consequences of smoking, Remington said.

The effect of higher taxes has yet to be seen.

WI's cigarette tax increased from 30 cents per pack to 38 cents, but the increase took effect in May 1992, so it has not yet been reflected in consumption statistics.

Despite the tax increase, the cost of a pack of cigarettes remains relatively low because of price slashing by manufacturers, Remington said.