The Wisconsin Wins (WI WINS) campaign is a science-based, state-level initiative designed to decrease youth access to tobacco products. WI Wins was launched in the spring of 2002 as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing youth access to tobacco.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services contracts with local partners to conduct investigations to establish retailer compliance with the law. Local initiatives also include retailer education and training, media outreach, and community education.
The CDC estimates that adult male smokers lose an average of 13.2 years of life and female smokers lose 14.5 years of life as direct result of smoking. Yet, every day in the United States3,600 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 years initiate cigarette smoking. When clerks make a difference to decrease youth access to tobacco products, Wisconsin wins.
WI Wins uses positive reinforcement to reduce illegal tobacco sales to minors. It congratulates local clerks who do not sell tobacco to youth, while educating those who would. This approach creates community pride by reducing youth access to tobacco products and provides youth a chance to make a difference in their community.
For more information on the Wisconsin Wins program, visit www.wiwins.org. For free tobacco retailer training, visit www.smokecheck.org.
2011 Results
Oneida County completed WI WINS checks in six counties.
Florence County: 17 checks completed 0 non-compliance (0%)
Forest County: 30 checks completed 1 non-compliance (3.3%)
Lincoln County: 44 checks completed 0 non-compliance (0%)
Oneida County: 80 checks completed 0 non-compliance (0%)
Price County: 34 checks completed 5 non-compliance (14.7%)
Vilas County: 67 checks completed 2 non-compliance (2.9%)
Visit www.wiwins.org for more information on WI WINS program.
