WISCONSIN — It’s been 15 years since the state passed a law to limit secondhand smoke indoors.

Saturday, July 5, marks the anniversary of the smoke-free indoor air law in Wisconsin.

Since its passage, fewer people in the state have been smoking, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).

In 2010, when the law took effect, around 19% of adults and 17% of high school students reported current smoking. That number has dropped significantly in the last 15 years. Currently, 12% of adults and 3% of high students report smoking.

Sales of the substance are also down. Earlier this year, DHS also reported a decline in underage tobacco and vape sales from 2023 to 2024.

DHS said it’s also helped create a cleaner environment in public places.

“Whether working a shift at a local restaurant or heading out with family for a Friday fish fry, Wisconsinites and visitors to our state can rest easy knowing they won’t be exposed to secondhand smoke in public places,” said State Health Officer and Division of Public Health Administrator Paula Tran. “Smoke-free businesses have become so normal for today’s kids, it’s hard for them to believe that smoking was once allowed in Wisconsin restaurants or on airplanes.”

Tran said this normalization has helped to discourage kids from using commercial tobacco products.

It’s also helped reduce health issues and hospital stays for those affected by secondhand smoke, including workers in restaurants and bars. According to DHS, secondhand smoke contains over 7,000 harmful chemicals and kills more than 53,000 U.S. nonsmokers every year.

Support for the legislation is widespread, with 75% of Wisconsinites saying they approve of the law, DHS said.

“Wisconsin’s smoke-free law has stood the test of time, and in today’s age it’s rare for any law to enjoy the broad kind of support it has,” said Tran. “It’s important that the law remain in place so that Wisconsin residents of all ages and professions can enjoy smoke-free air in our public places for decades to come.”