When it comes to reducing smoking rates, there are no easy answers. Nicotine addiction is powerful, and even with plenty of motivation, it’s tough to quit.

Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S. Adult smokers lose an average of 13-14 years of life because they smoked.

In Minnesota, one in every seven deaths — more than 5,600 each year — is related to smoking. Tobacco use not only shortens many smokers’ lives, but also leads to multiple chronic health conditions. 

Despite significant progress toward reducing the number of Minnesotans who smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco, 18 percent of Minnesotans still use tobacco. It’s clear that the number one cause of preventable death and disease in the nation requires a sustained focus.

Encouraging quitting, discouraging starting

Prevention Minnesota supports a comprehensive strategy to reduce tobacco use, including clinical strategies, outreach to high-priority populations, worksite initiatives, policy advocacy and help for individuals who want to quit.

Our goal: Reduce smoking rates by 50%. Measurement: Reduce the prevalence of smoking from 19% to less than 10% among adult Minnesotans.

Explore this section to learn more about the harms of tobacco use, as well programs in place to encourage quitting.