ClearWay Minnesota has launched a new version of QUITPLAN Services, the free cessation program available to any Minnesotan who wants to quit tobacco. The new services now include free access to text messages, email support, a downloadable quit guide and free “starter kits,” which provide a two-week supply of nicotine patches, gum or lozenges to help tobacco users quit. In addition, tobacco users can now speak to a quit coach over the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week for support and help quitting.

QUITPLAN Services was originally launched by in 2001 and has provided help to more than 100,000 Minnesotans trying to quit tobacco.

News release

QUITPLAN Services

A new poll released by ClearWay Minnesota and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota today found that Minnesotans strongly support including e-cigarettes in policies that restrict smoking in public places. Seventy-nine percent said they support prohibiting e-cigarette use in places where smoking is already banned. The poll also found that 98 percent of Minnesotans support prohibiting e-cigarette sales to minors, and 87 percent feel e-cigarettes should be kept behind the counter in stores.

Fact sheet: E-cigarette policy poll

News release: E-cigarette policy poll

Statement from ClearWay Minnesota: E-cigarette legislation

Today the U.S. Surgeon General’s office released a report commemorating the 50th anniversary of its first report on smoking and health. The new report discusses progress made in reducing tobacco’s harm since 1964, and shares recent findings on the health harms of smoking.

The report was the opening shot in an ongoing public health fight against tobacco. Today, the national smoking rate has fallen to 19 percent (down from 42 percent in 1964), and it’s estimated that 8 million American lives have been saved by initiatives that began with the Surgeon General’s report.

ClearWay Minnesota has helped create many of those initiatives in our state. These include the statewide Freedom to Breathe Act and cigarette tax increases, free QUITPLAN Services to help Minnesotans quit tobacco and media campaigns that remind the public about tobacco’s dangers. Despite these advances, tobacco remains a big problem in Minnesota, with 625,000 adults and 77,000 kids using it every year.

News release

Infographic – Fifty Years of Tobacco Control in Minnesota

ClearWay Minnesota is seeking an Executive Assistant. This position is responsible for providing administrative support to and managing the activities of the Chief Executive Officer. Five years of experience required.

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