MADISON – A
bill that would require state workers who smoke to pay $50 more per month for
health insurance passed the Wisconsin legislature’s budget committee earlier
this week, the Associated Press reports.
The state’s
Joint Finance Committee passed the measure 13-3 earlier this week. Twelve other
states currently impose similar fees, though anti-smoking groups actually
oppose them, arguing they are ineffective at reducing tobacco use.
Wisconsin Governor
Scott Walker said the fee is necessary because it goes toward funding health
care costs for tobacco users, which are roughly 35% higher than for those who
don’t smoke.
Workers who
lie about their smoking status face a surcharge if they are caught, though they
would not risk losing insurance coverage, as originally proposed.