Progress in reducing cigarette consumption: the Wisconsin tobacco control program, 2001-2003.

OBJECTIVES

In 2000, the Wisconsin Legislature allocated $20.8 million annually to establish a comprehensive tobacco control program. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of Wisconsin's tobacco control program on reducing cigarette consumption during its first 2 years of operation.

METHODS

Per capita cigarette sales were used to estimate cigarette consumption. Trends in cigarette consumption in Wisconsin between 2001 and 2003 were compared with trends in the United States as a whole, with groups of states, and with Wisconsin's peer state group.

RESULTS

Cigarette consumption in Wisconsin declined 9.2% from 2001 to 2003. In the same time period cigarette consumption in the United States declined only 3.8%. Wisconsin also demonstrated a greater percent decline in its cigarette consumption rate than did 3 of the 4 state groups. Finally, compared to its peer state group Wisconsin performed better between 2001 and 2003, with a decline of 9.2% compared to only a 4.2% reduction in its peer state group.

SUMMARY

Wisconsin has shown progress in reducing cigarette consumption during the first 2 years of its tobacco control program. Greater declines in Wisconsin compared to the United States, most state groups and its own peer state group suggest early effectiveness of Wisconsin's tobacco control program. Wisconsin will require continued implementation of evidence-based policy initiatives and aggressive tobacco control activities in order to maintain its progress toward decreasing the public health burden of tobacco.