Working at the Community Level to Reduce Tobacco's Burden
Local organizations and leaders are central to the prevention of tobacco use.
Wisconsin's tobacco prevention and control coalitions and networks work to prevent and reduce the death, disease, and health care costs caused by tobacco use. These local efforts focus on:
- Youth prevention
- Community education
- Reducing tobacco-related health disparities
- Protecting people from secondhand smoke
- Treating tobacco addiction
Learn more about local efforts below.
Local Coalitions
15 tobacco-free coalitions work in Wisconsin, covering 57 of the state’s 72 counties. If you are interested in coalition efforts in your community, please contact Vicki Huntington, Section Chief, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, at 608-267-3823.
Ethnic and Poverty Networks
Tobacco is not an equal opportunity killer. In fact, tobacco has a greater impact on many Wisconsin populations, including low income groups and racial and ethnic groups.
To address these differences in tobacco use and exposure, the Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Control Program currently supports five networks to implement culturally appropriate activities:
- Wisconsin African American Tobacco Prevention Network
- Asian American Tobacco Prevention Network of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Hispanic/Latino Tobacco Prevention Network
- Wisconsin Native American Tobacco Network
- Wisconsin Tobacco Prevention and Poverty Network
For more information, contact Karen Doster, Disparities Coordinator, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, at 608-267-6768.
Tobacco-Free College Campus Efforts
Spark, a Wisconsin-wide program coordinated through the American Lung Association, is helping college campuses pass tobacco-free policies and educate campus communities that tobacco in all its forms is a threat. Spark offers young adults a platform and an opportunity to be an advocate on their campus.
