New Report Reveals Minnesota Must Focus on Ending the Sale of All Flavored Commercial Tobacco Products to Reduce Death and Disease from Tobacco Use

A new report from the American Lung Association urges Minnesota lawmakers to focus on ending the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, to reduce the overwhelming human and financial burden of commercial tobacco use. The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate commercial tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to prevent nicotine dependence and protect kids.

In the 2025 report, Minnesota received the following grades:

1. Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
2. Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade A
3. Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade B
4. Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade A
5. Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F

“In addition to grading Minnesota’s tobacco control policies, this year’s ‘State of Tobacco Control’ report examines the tobacco industry’s increasingly aggressive actions to addict a new generation to commercial tobacco and hinder proven public policies to prevent and reduce commercial tobacco use,” said Pat McKone, Senior Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association in Minnesota. “Here in Minnesota, we are seeing industry lobbyists at the local level working to stop or weaken proven tobacco control policies. The industry is also introducing new products that appeal to youth like e-cigarettes that mimic smartphones, kid-friendly flavors and flavored nicotine pouches that are heavily marketed by social media influencers.”

McKone added: “In 2025, policymakers in Minnesota must focus on ending the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, raising the tax on all commercial tobacco products, and protecting and closing remaining loopholes in the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act.”

Ending the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes will reduce tobacco-caused disparities and save lives as the most recent Surgeon General’s report on tobacco released in November 2024 makes clear. Of the over 85% of kids who use flavored e-cigarettes, use flavored products. Menthol cigarettes continue to be the major cause of tobacco-related death and disease in Black communities, with over 80% of Black individuals who smoke using them. Ending the sale of all flavored commercial tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, will not only reduce youth tobacco use, but will address health disparities.

Federal Grades Overview

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report grades the federal government in five areas:

• Federal Government Regulation of Tobacco Products – Grade C
• Federal Coverage of Quit Smoking Treatments – Grade D
• Level of Federal Tobacco Taxes – Grade F
• Federal Mass Media Campaigns to Prevent and Reduce Tobacco Use – Grade: A
• Federal Minimum Age of Sale for Tobacco Products to 21 – Grade: A

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report urges Congress to provide additional funding to the FDA so they can enforce against and remove all illegal e-cigarettes the tobacco industry has introduced to the market. To learn more about this year’s “State of Tobacco Control” grades and sign the petition, visit Lung.org/sotc.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb Twin Cities is coming up on Saturday, March 1. Learn more at ClimbMinnesota.org.

State grades in “State of Tobacco Control” reflect actions taken by elected officials and do not reflect on the hard work of state tobacco control programs or advocates.

Media Resources:

• B-Roll is available here:
  • Tobacco Products: Broll TobaccoProducts. American Lung Association.mp4 | Powered by Box
  • E-Cigarettes: Broll Ecigarettes. American Lung Association.mp4 | Powered by Box
• American Lung Association logos are available here: Media | American Lung Association