The Real Cost of Smoking in Minnesota and What to do About it

Minnesota continues to make significant strides in reducing commercial tobacco use, but new data from the 2023 Cost of Smoking report commissioned by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota shows the need for urgent and immediate action.

Over the last 20 years, Minnesota has enacted groundbreaking policies including the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act, increasing the tax on commercial tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) and establishing “QuitPartner,” the Minnesota Department of Health’s quit line services. With these policies in place, the prevalence of smoking has declined over the last decade.

And yet, smoking continues to burden Minnesota, causing thousands of premature and preventable deaths and billions of dollars of expenses annually. This new report reveals that Minnesota spent an estimated $9.4 billion in healthcare expenses and lost productivity due to smoking in 2021.

In addition to the staggering costs, smoking cigarettes was also responsible for 6,530 deaths in Minnesota in 2021. This is a 3.5 percent increase in smoking-attributed deaths from 2014, which highlights the ongoing impact smoking has on public health.

It’s evident that the tobacco industry targets communities that already face significant racial and health inequities. Ending the sale of menthol and flavored tobacco products would be a critical step toward addressing these inequities in Minnesota, especially considering that young people, Black, LGBTQ+, and Native American communities are disproportionately targeted, harmed and are losing their lives.

“We call on lawmakers to end the sale of menthol and flavored tobacco products,” said Janelle Waldock, director of racial & health equity policy at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “We know Big Tobacco uses menthol because it makes cigarettes more addictive, and it masks the harsh effects of tobacco smoke, making it easier for kids to experiment with cigarettes and become addicted. We also know smoking costs Minnesota $9.4 billion annually. Both of those issues can be addressed by acting on commercial tobacco policy solutions.”

According to the report, premature death due to smoking led to approximately 81,000 years of potential life lost and about $4.7 billion in lost productivity. By allowing the continued sale of commercial tobacco products, the cycle of harm is perpetuated and lives continue to be lost – especially in communities that are already marginalized. “We can’t keep waiting for the FDA to ban menthol and flavored tobacco,” said Waldock. “It’s on us to reduce the burden that smoking and other commercial tobacco-related health inequities put on our state, especially when the death toll from tobacco is on the rise.” 

Even though a quarter of the state’s population is currently covered by 28 local policies restricting sales of menthol and/or flavored tobacco products, and a recent poll found two-to-one support for ending flavored tobacco sales, Minnesota is yet to pass a statewide policy.

The 2023 Cost of Smoking report illuminates the significant toll that commercial tobacco takes on our state. Minnesota now faces a pivotal moment to shape its public health landscape.

“The call to action is crystal clear: a comprehensive statewide approach is imperative to effectively address the complex web of issues surrounding commercial tobacco use,” said Chris Matter, community health and health equity senior program manager at the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross. “While local policies restricting sales have made strides, a unified statewide stance is essential to ensure consistent protection across all communities. The overwhelming two-to-one support from the public for ending flavored tobacco sales underscores a shared commitment to safeguard the well-being of Minnesotans. Now, the state must translate this consensus into impactful legislation to curtail the insidious influence of the tobacco industry and protect people who continue to bear the health consequences in their lives.”

As Minnesota charts its course forward, the urgency of enacting policies that transcend regional boundaries cannot be overstated. Waiting for federal mandates is not a viable option in the face of rising smoking-related deaths and escalating healthcare costs. By championing a statewide ban on menthol and flavored tobacco products, Minnesota has the opportunity to serve as a trailblazer, setting a standard for prioritizing public health and equity. The concerted efforts of advocates, policymakers, and the public must converge to ensure that the next chapter in Minnesota’s fight against commercial tobacco is marked by decisive action, leading to healthier communities and a brighter, tobacco-free future for all Minnesotans.