Minnesota Must Work Harder to Prevent Tobacco-Caused Disease and Death

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Minnesota is a leader in some areas, but falls short in others to protect children and curb tobacco-related disease in 2011 according to the American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control 2012 report.

The Lung Association's annual report card on tobacco control monitors progress on key tobacco control policies at the federal and state levels and assigns grades to assess whether laws are protecting citizens from the terrible health burden caused by tobacco use.  Now in its 10th year of publication, the Lung Association graded all 50 states and the District of Columbia on four proven policies to save lives and cut healthcare costs. These are tobacco prevention and control program funding; smoke-free air laws; cigarette tax rates; and coverage of cessation treatments and services, to help smokers quit.

Minnesota's grades were:

• Tobacco Prevention and Control Funding – F
• Smokefree Air – A
• Cigarette Tax Rate – C
• Coverage of Cessation Treatments and Services -- D

Minnesota is one of over 25 states that protect its citizens from secondhand smoke, yet continues to cut funding for time-tested prevention and cessation programs that save lives and health care costs.  In the meantime, the tobacco industry is constantly developing new products to replace smokers who quit or die of tobacco related illnesses. 

"If Minnesota pursues smart strategies identified in the report for better protecting its citizens from tobacco's dangers, it will save countless lives and health care dollars," said Pat McKone, Director of Tobacco Control for the American Lung Association in Minnesota.  "Every single Minnesota man, woman and child pays $554 per year in excess medical costs caused by tobacco."

In 2011, the Lung Association in Minnesota and its partners worked to educate citizens and law makers about the impact of tobacco on the health and pocket books of all Minnesotans.  Minnesota spends nearly $3 billion in tobacco-related health care costs each year.  These costs are borne by all of us regardless of whether we use tobacco.  A $1.50 increase in Minnesota's cigarette tax is projected to keep nearly 62,000 kids from becoming addicted smokers, help over 28,000 adult smokers quit and save over 27,000 lives. 

It would also raise over $128 million annually in much-needed state revenue and reduce long term health care costs by $1.3 billion. Although we did not get the tobacco tax increase in 2011, the work to educate lawmakers helps to position the issue for future legislative sessions.

Although youth and adult smoking rates declined slowly over the past decade, the decline has been inconsistent. Minnesota's smoking rates are:

• Adults – 14.9%
• High School Students – 19.1%
• Middle School Students – 3.4%
• Smoking Attributable Deaths – 5,536 (annual)

Tobacco use continues to reap a devastating toll. Each year, 443,000 people died from tobacco-related illnesses and secondhand smoke exposure. Tobacco causes an estimated 5,536 Minnesota deaths annually and costs the state's economy $2.87 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity.

"Despite our successes, the tobacco industry is not going to sit back and let us erode their customer base.  They're always working to develop new ways to circumvent tobacco control laws and dilute our educational efforts.  The enormity of the challenge facing us requires combined resources at both the state and federal levels," said McKone. "Failure isn't an option, because our end goal is removing tobacco's chokehold on America's health, and that's a life-and-death matter."

About the American Lung Association in Minnesota

Now in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.lungmn.org. 

SOURCE American Lung Association in Minnesota