Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program

Global commercial tobacco companies spend $161.2 million per year to market commercial tobacco and nicotine to Wisconsinites.

Commercial tobacco and nicotine products are Wisconsin’s leading causes of preventable death and disease. Every year, they cause our state to lose:

• 7,900 lives
• $3.09 billion in health care expenses
• $5.6 billion in productivity

Learn more about the The Toll of Tobacco in Wisconsin, The Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, April 2024.

Menthol in cigarettes is a social justice issue

Menthol is added to cigarettes and other forms of commercial tobacco, which produces a minty flavor and cooling sensation that makes smoke feel less harsh and easier to inhale.

• Menthol makes tobacco more addictive, easier to start, and harder to quit.
• For decades, menthol has been historically targeted to different communities, including African Americans, LGBTQ+ groups, low-income populations, and young people.
• Menthol’s impact on African Americans has been extremely detrimental. Used by 9 of 10 Black smokers in Wisconsin and 85% nationally, menthol is a major contributor to the three leading causes of death for African Americans: heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
• Tobacco use kills 45,000 African Americans annually in the United States.
• Research studies show that removing menthol tobacco from the market would save 654,000 lives, including more than 250,000 Black lives, within 40 years.

Learn more about how commercial tobacco companies have historically used menthol to target specific communities at the Tobacco is Changing website.

Explore more resources and get involved

The Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program (CTPTP) is dedicated to reducing the burden of commercial tobacco and nicotine on Wisconsin’s people and communities. We invite you to learn more and get involved.

Vicki Huntington
Vicki.Huntington@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Section Chief
Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Treatment Program
608-267-3823

Health Equity

Learn about populations that are especially targeted by Big Tobacco.

Learn about tobacco and heath equity.

Help to Quit

Get help to quit commercial tobacco and nicotine.

Get help to quit.

Youth Programs

Prevent smoking, vaping, and dipping among young people.

See how we're making the next generation tobacco-free.

Local Efforts

Join the movement to usher in systems change.

See how local organizations are working to prevent tobacco use.

Tobacco 21

Understand the law against selling tobacco to anyone under age 21.

Learn about the law.

Resources and Partners

Learn about others in the tobacco-and nicotine-free movement.

View tobacco resources.

 Get free help to quit commercial tobacco and nicotine

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"): a corruption of traditional tobacco into dangerous recreational commodities like cigarettes, vapes, and chewing tobacco.