Tobacco

Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean indoor air

Waukesha County Tobacco Free Coalition (WCTFC) is a coalition of Waukesha County based residents, community organizations and businesses dedicated to improving the overall health, wellness and quality of life for the citizens in Waukesha County. Our mission is to reduce tobacco use and second hand smoke exposure through prevention efforts, cessation programs, health education and advocacy.

In Wisconsin

• 7.300 – Adults in Wisconsin die each year from smoking
• 143,800 – Kids now under 18 and alive in Wisconsin who will ultimately die prematurely from smoking
• 760 to 1,350 – Adults children, & babies who die each year from others' smoking (secondhand smoke & pregnancy smoking)

In Waukesha County

• In Waukesha County, approximately 413 die annually of illness directly related to smoking

• Secondhand smoke contains a complex mixture of more than 4,000 chemicals, more than 50 of which are known or probable human cancer-causing agents (carcinogens).
• People are exposed to secondhand smoke in the home, workplace, and in public venues such as bars, bowling alleys, and restaurants.
• Secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer and coronary heart disease in nonsmoking adults. 
• Because their lungs are not fully developed, young children are particularly susceptible to secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia in young children.
• An estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths and more than 35,000 coronary heart disease deaths occur annually among adult nonsmokers in the United States as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke. 

For additional information on the effects of tobacco use or how you can help contact us.