Tobacco Control & Prevention

Wisconsin is smoke-free as of July 5, 2010!


Tobacco is the single most preventable cause of death and diseases in the United States.


Importance of Tobacco Programs


The Greenfield Health Department has been involved in tobacco control and prevention since 2000. The burden of tobacco in Wisconsin is significant; an estimated 7,217 people die each year from tobacco related illness. Approximately $2.16 billion is paid annually in health care costs directly attributed to smoking. Over 1 million people in Wisconsin continue to smoke, including 85,000 youth. Each year approximately 4,000 youth start smoking.

Greenfield Health Department Efforts


Much of what the health department does in tobacco control focuses around 3 documents. The state wide vision “Healthiest Wisconsin 2010," the CDC’s “Best Practices for A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program and our own “Greenfield Community Health Plan”.


Since 2000 the Greenfield Health Department has done the following in Tobacco Control:

  • Created a Smoke-Free Dinning guide
  • Created a Women of influence luncheon to present information on women’s health and smoking, as well as cessation
  • Educate restaurant owners about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke
  • Encouraged residents to take part in a Smoke-Free Home Pledge
  • Formed a coalition
  • Partnered with the communities of West Allis, Wauwatosa, and Greendale to provide a Tobacco Education Program to provide education classes for youth that are cited for use or possession
  • Partnered with the Greendale Health Department to educate local politicians, elected official and community members about the harmful effects of second hand smoke
  • Partnered with the Greenfield School District to work with youth to reduce the use of tobacco
    Initiatives included:
    Annual Tobacco Education Program
    Greenfield Middle School Art Project
    Student Mentor Program
  • Working with local business to make their workplace smoke-free

    Wisconsin Quit Line
    Phone: 1-800-QUITNOW (784-8669)
    Spanish: 1-877-2NO-Fume
    TTY: 1-877-777-6534
  • QUIT Line Website

Vaping & E-Cigarettes

Vaping and e-cigarette use has been in the news a lot lately. We’ve seen a large increase in the number of teens using these products in Wisconsin and throughout the nation, and know that these devices can be highly addictive. Governor Tony Evers released a Joint Letter on November 4th with information on this topic for parents and schools. Below are some of the great resources that were shared if you are looking to learn more:


Websites to help addicted youth quit:

Website with resources for parents about talking to their teens: