Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program: Commercial Tobacco Related Disparities

Commercial tobacco is the largest cause of preventable death and disease in Wisconsin and the United States. Over past decades, the Wisconsin Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program (CTPTP), together with local coalitions, statewide partners, and state leaders, has helped greatly reduce the negative health consequences of commercial tobacco in Wisconsin. However, not all people living in Wisconsin share in these beneficial changes. Addressing these commercial tobacco related disparities is important to the CTPTP.

Factors that impact health

We strive to improve the conditions where people are born, grow, play, live and age to reduce commercial tobacco related disparities in Wisconsin. Some of these factors of tobacco-related disease include:

• The number and location of local tobacco and vape retailers.
• The strength of smoke- and vapor-free air policies.
• The availability of tobacco and nicotine quit services.

 

Commercial tobacco related disparities

Commercial tobacco related health disparities prevent people from living their healthiest possible lives. Some groups experience commercial tobacco related disparities when they are impacted by higher rates of disease, injury, and violence. Commercial tobacco and nicotine affect people of color, American Indians, people with low incomes or educational attainment, LGBTQ+ persons, and those in mental health or substance use treatment, among other groups at higher rates.

Reducing commercial tobacco related disparities gives everyone the chance to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to good health, such as poverty and lack education. The CTPTP focuses on helping disparately impacted people overcome tobacco and nicotine addiction. We also work to help people educate their communities on the marketing tactics of the commercial tobacco industry.

Industry marketing

Industry marketing contributes to commercial tobacco related health disparities, as best explained in the words of the tobacco industry itself:

"Clearly, the sole reason for [our] interest in the black and Hispanic communities is the actual and potential sales of products... However, this relatively small and often tightly knit community can work to [our] marking advantage, if exploited properly. Peer pressure plays a more important role in many phases of life in the minority community. Therefore, dominance of the marketplace and the community environment is essential to successfully increase sales."

—Brown & Williamson Total Minority Marketing Plan, 1984

Traditional and sacred tobacco

Traditional tobacco is and has been used in ceremonial ways by American Indians for thousands of years. 

Uplifting the different practices around traditional tobacco is essential to commercial tobacco prevention and control efforts. It allows us to build a strong foundation when working with sovereign native communities. 

As sovereign nations, native tribes maintain a government-to-government relationship with the state of Wisconsin that is essential to this work.

The word "tobacco" on this page refers to commercial tobacco, not traditional Native American tobacco.
Traditional tobacco: a sacred medicine for healing; offerings to the Creator; and spiritual gifts to express gratitude, show respect, and ask for prayers or advice. Commercial tobacco ("tobacco"): changes the meaning of traditional tobacco into dangerous recreational commodities like cigarettes, vapes, and chewing tobacco.

Populations of focus

Wisconsin's Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program (CTPTP) is focused on decreasing rates of disease among people who are especially impacted by commercial tobacco. Community engagement at the grassroots level helps usher in policy change and impacts social norms around commercial tobacco and nicotine. CTPTP works with people and communities where the need and potential impact are greatest. These populations include:

African Americans

Studies show there is up to 10 times more tobacco marketing in Black neighborhoods than other neighborhoods. Menthol cigarettes, little cigars and cigarillos are the most heavily marketed and sold products in communities of color.

Up Close with Tobacco and African Americans, P-02681C (PDF)

American Indians

The tobacco industry has appropriated native cultures and traditional tobacco to target tribes for profit. This has caused the eleven Native nations that share geography with Wisconsin to experience the highest burden of commercial tobacco-related disease.

Up Close with Tobacco and American Indians, P-02681 (PDF)

LGBTQ+ persons

People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) have been marketed to by the tobacco industry. LGBTQ+ communities have a higher prevalence of tobacco and nicotine use.

Up Close with Tobacco and LGBTQ+ Communities, P-02682A (PDF)

People of low socioeconomic status (SES)

Low-SES smokers smoke or vape earlier in life, more heavily, and for a longer time because of things like tobacco-industry marketing, stress, less access to health care, and cultural normalization.

Up Close with Tobacco and Socioeconomic Status, P-02681B (PDF)

People with behavioral health concerns

Those coping with a behavioral health challenge, substance use disorder, or both, make up about 25% of the population, but consume 40% of all purchased cigarettes. Over half of the clients in Wisconsin Community Support Programs that treat people with persistent mental illness currently smoke or vape.

Up Close with Tobacco and Behavioral Health, P-02681D (PDF)

 Get free help to quit commercial tobacco and nicotine