Smoking and commercial tobacco use
Commercial tobacco use like smoking, vaping, or using chew, kills over 6,530 Minnesotans every year and costs Minnesota $4.7 billion annually in medical costs. Commercial tobacco use is the single greatest preventable cause of death and disease in Minnesota. And while the state’s overall smoking rates are below national averages, some Minnesota communities suffer more than others from commercial tobacco-related death and disease.
Commercial tobacco use prevention and treatment
In Minnesota, we use a comprehensive approach to commercial tobacco prevention and control. Evidence-based, statewide tobacco control programs that are comprehensive, sustained, and accountable have been shown to reduce commercial tobacco use, as well as tobacco-related diseases and deaths.
The Minnesota Department of Health partners with communities across the state to reduce commercial tobacco use. Together we’re working to keep Minnesota healthy by preventing initiation among young people, promoting quitting and treatment, eliminating secondhand exposure, and identifying and eliminating disparities.
Learn more: MDH's Commercial Tobacco Use Prevention and Treatment
Free help for people in Minnesota
It’s hard to quit smoking, vaping, or using other commercial tobacco products. But there’s good news – many people have quit successfully, and there are medications and strategies to make it easier. In fact, people who use phone coaching and quit medications are twice as likely to successfully quit.
Free Minnesota services:
- Quit Partner™ for adults
- The American Indian Quitline for adults
- My Life, My Quit™ for teens
Free tools are resources are also available to help promote quitting and treatment in your community. Learn more: MDH's Promoting Quitting and Treatment | Commercial Tobacco Use
Last updated May 2026