Is Minnesota "Quit-Friendly" for Smokers?

(December 7, 2011)—

When it comes to helping smokers quit, not all states are created equal.  According to a new report by the American Lung Association, Maine and North Dakota are the two most quit-friendly states for smokers who want to stop smoking. Georgia and Louisiana are the two least quit-friendly states.  Does Minnesota do enough to help smokers quit, and how does it compare to others?  The Lung Association has the answer.

The American Lung Association’s annual “Helping Smokers Quit: Tobacco Cessation Coverage 2011” report documents the coverage of programs and treatments to help smokers quit available in each state and from the federal government.

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, responsible for 443,000 deaths each year from tobacco-related illnesses and secondhand smoke exposure. Tobacco also places a crippling burden on the U.S. economy, totaling $193 billion annually.  Providing comprehensive quit-smoking treatments is a win-win that both saves lives and curbs health care costs.   

But quitting smoking is difficult, and most smokers need help to quit for good.  That’s why it’s important that Minnesota and the federal government do all they can to make sure smokers have easy access to smoking cessation medications and counseling through health insurance plans and cessation telephone quitlines.  While the federal government and some states have taken important steps in the right direction, significant gaps in access to coverage remain for millions of smokers.

States’ Efforts Mixed
According to the Lung Association’s report, the five most quit-friendly states are: Maine, North Dakota, Delaware, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.  The least quit-friendly states, where policymakers are tragically missing a chance to improve citizens’ health and save lives, are Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Maryland, and New Jersey. You can view the entire report here to see how Minnesota rates.

Some good news in Minnesota is that we are one of six states to cover a comprehensive tobacco cessation benefit for all Medicaid enrollees and one of three states to add coverage of one or more medications for state employees and dependents.

Take Action
Visit our “Helping Smokers Quit” report webpage to find tools and resources to help you, or someone you know quit smoking.

  • Find details about what resources are available in Minnesota
  • Send an email to encourage Minnesota policymakers to help more smokers quit
  • Send an e-card of encouragement to someone you know who wants to quit
  • Download web banners and email signatures to help spread the word about helping smokers quit

You can also join our Lung Action Network to receive e-alerts on how you can take action to support better quit-smoking coverage or smokefree laws federally, and in Minnesota.

Interested in keeping up with all the American Lung Association does to fight for healthy air and healthy lungs?  Sign up here to receive our monthly e-newsletter Fighting For Air Online, and other e-news.