Reduce Commercial Tobacco Inequities

Thirteen percent of adults in Minnesota smoke, with certain groups experiencing even higher rates.

The issue is exacerbated by the influence of new tobacco products and targeted marketing strategies.  The Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota Center for Racial and Health Equity and funded partners’ goal is to reduce and ultimately eliminate commercial tobacco use, particularly in communities facing significant health disparities. 

Our Historical Commitment

Blue Cross has a history of being leader for reducing commercial tobacco use in Minnesota. Our historic lawsuit against the commercial tobacco industry resulted in changes to how tobacco products could be marketed. We worked with other advocates and community organizations to pass Minnesota’s Freedom to Breathe Act. Most recently, we supported the passage of a state law to raise the sale age of commercial tobacco products from 18 to 21 and have been advocating for a statewide ban of menthol and flavored tobacco products. Flavors are driving the state’s youth tobacco crisis, and the industry marketing of flavored products is a huge driver of tobacco-related health disparities. 

Commercial Tobacco Equity Initiative

The Commercial Tobacco Equity Funding Initiative is designed to advance policies that impact communities disproportionately affected by commercial tobacco. Funded projects will support and advance systems and environmental changes in communities most targeted by the tobacco industry. This initiative collaborates with both organizations and Tribal Nations to continue moving toward our shared goal of eliminating access to and use of commercial tobacco in Minnesota. 

Learn more about this initiative.

 

Tackling New Tobacco Products

Some of the newest, and most alarming, commercial tobacco products gaining popularity are e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes contain nicotine and other toxic chemicals, and they come in fruit, candy and menthol flavors that are appealing to youth. E-cigarette use, or “vaping,” among youth is increasing at alarming rates. When e-cigarettes are used indoors, they threaten our clean indoor air laws and could help renormalize smoking. Supporting communities to create solutions to rid commercial tobacco from their neighborhoods is a complex and unique fight. Much work is focused on local policies that eliminate menthol and all flavors from commercial tobacco, as well as eliminating coupons and price discounting. Other work uses cultural competency, awareness and education that counter the tobacco industry targeting of LGBTQ+ youth. 

Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation

Co-chaired by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation is a coalition of over 60 community organizations leading the fight against youth commercial tobacco use by supporting policies like Tobacco 21, keeping tobacco prices high, limiting access to candy, fruit, and menthol flavored tobacco. 

Visit the Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation website.