MADISON, Wis., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Following Tuesday's release of the Burden of Tobacco Report, The Wisconsin Tobacco Control Board (WTCB) is seeking second-hand smoke case study submissions from Wisconsin residents. The report showed environmental to

According to David Gundersen, executive director of the WTCB, ``The Burden of Tobacco Report reminds us that second-hand smoke severely impacts the lives of Wisconsin residents.'' He added that, ``Second-hand smoke isn't just a nuisance, it leads to very real health problems ranging from acute asthma and upper respiratory tract infections to lung cancer and emphysema.'' The WTCB aims to showcase Wisconsin residents and their personal experiences with environmental tobacco smoke in its 2002 efforts. ``I encourage all residents whose lives or loved ones have been impacted by second-hand smoke to share their stories. We need to demonstrate that these statistics are real names and faces,'' said Gundersen. Case studies should be submitted by February 28, 2002 for use in the statewide effort. Submissions received after the deadline will be considered for local resources. Please visit http://www.hadenoughwisconsin.com to access the case study submission form or call J.J. Berrall (414-247-2111) for more information. Second-hand smoke is a mixture of the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar, and the smoke exhaled from smokers' lungs. It contains more than 4,000 substances, more than 40 of which are known to cause cancer in humans or animals, and many of which are strong irritants. The Environmental Protection Agency has classified environmental tobacco smoke as a known cause of lung cancer in humans. The Burden of Tobacco Report was produced collaboratively by the following anti-tobacco organizations: American Cancer Society; Department of Health and Family Services; Wisconsin Tobacco Control Board; and the UW Extension Comprehensive Cancer Center's Monitoring and Evaluation Program. For more information regarding the report, please call Dr. Peter Rumm, Chief Medical Officer, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, Wisconsin Division of Public Health, 608-267-3835. The Wisconsin Tobacco Control Board is a Governor-appointed board charged with distributing and managing a portion of funds received from the Master Settlement Agreement against the tobacco industry. Wisconsin is one of 46 states that settled lawsuits for past and future damages and costs due to tobacco-related illnesses and deaths. The funds allocated to the Board are used for youth prevention, tobacco cessation and the elimination of secondhand smoke.

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