An analysis of lobbying activity on tobacco issues in the Wisconsin legislature

Although public and media attention has focused on the federal role in the regulation of tobacco products, state government remains an important arena for changing tobacco control policies. Lobbying state officials by public health and the tobacco industry is a commonly used mechanism to influence public policy.

Major bills of the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 Wisconsin legislative sessions related to tobacco use regulation were analyzed by the hours engaged in lobbying and the estimated expenditures by supporters and opponents of tobacco control legislation in reports submitted to the Government Accountability Board.

In the 2007-2008 legislative session, anti-tobacco control organizations reported lobbying expenditures of more than $2 million (2627 hours) while opposing bills to raise tobacco excise taxes and enact smoke-free legislation; pro-tobacco control organizations reported lobbying expenditures of $623,000 (3997 hours) while supporting these bills. In the first 6 months of the 2009 session, anti-tobacco control groups spent $1.25 million (1472 hours) and pro-tobacco control groups spent $172,000 (1727 hours).

In the 2007-2008 legislative session, the proposal to increase the tobacco tax by $1 per pack was passed. However, the smoke-free indoor air bill was defeated. Anti-tobacco control organizations outspent pro-tobacco control organizations by a margin of over 3:1. In 2009 anti-tobacco control groups outspent health groups by a ratio of 7:1. Legislation for smoke-free workplaces and an increase in the cigarette tax was enacted. However, funding for tobacco prevention and treatment programs was substantially reduced.