Knowledge is an important tool in our work to eliminate tobacco’s harm. That’s why we ground our work in science, gathering information about how tobacco is used in our state, and how it impacts the lives of real Minnesotans. By funding research on tobacco use and attitudes in Minnesota, on smoke-free policies and on diverse communities, we are helping to understand tobacco’s impacts, and to reduce its harms.

Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) 2018
MATS: Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey
The Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) is a collaborative effort between ClearWay MinnesotaSM and the Minnesota Department of Health. MATS is the most thorough source of information about tobacco behaviors, attitudes and beliefs in Minnesota and helps measure the progress of Minnesota’s comprehensive tobacco control program. Data for this MATS were collected in 2018. Previous MATS were conducted in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2014.
MATS Survey Methods: The 2018 MATS is a cross-sectional, random digit-dial telephone survey, conducted from February through July 2018 among adults aged 18 and older living in Minnesota. The sample of 6,055 responding adults consisted of 2,789 from a statewide landline sample and 3,266 from a cell phone sample.
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) 2014
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS)
A collaboration of ClearWay Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health, this major research project has findings on Minnesota’s smoking rate, demographics of smokers, what’s helping people quit, and other tobacco products like e-cigarettes. The 2014 research shows Minnesota’s adult smoking rate has declined to 14.4 percent, the lowest rate ever recorded and a significant decrease from 2010.
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) 2010
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS)
In February 2011, ClearWay Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health released a new Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) – the most thorough and accurate source of information about tobacco use in Minnesota.The MATS survey found that Minnesota’s adult smoking rate has declined to 16.1 percent – down from 22.1 percent in 1999. In addition, exposure to secondhand smoke significantly declined after the Freedom to Breathe Act was implemented in October 2007. The report identifies areas for improvement as well, including a striking increase in the use of smokeless tobacco products.
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) 2007
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) Reports
In September 2008, ClearWay Minnesota, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health released a new Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) report. These collaborative reports, based on a model developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are prepared and released every four years.The new report has found that Minnesota’s adult smoking rate has fallen to 17 percent. This is down approximately 5 percent from 1999 and is significantly lower than the national average of 20 percent.The MATS report also contains findings in such areas as young adult smoking, quitting trends and the relationship between public policies and quitting. The new report is a follow-up to three previous MATS reports on secondhand smoke, quitting and young adult smoking.
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) 2003
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) 2003
The Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey conducted in 2003 was produced collaboratively by ClearWay Minnesota, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota. The study focused on secondhand smoke exposure, nicotine addiction and young-adult smoking.
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) 1999
Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) 1999
The first Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey was conducted by ClearWay Minnesota, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department of Health and focused on nicotine addiction and secondhand smoke exposure.
ModelHealth - 2018
ModelHealth – 2018
Downloads
ModelHealth 2018 research brief
Minnesota SimSmoke – 2018
Minnesota SimSmoke – 2018
Downloads
Minnesota SimSmoke 2018 research brief
Poll: Should E-Cigarette Use be Prohibited in Workplaces and Other Public Places Where Cigarette Use is Currently Banned? – 2014
Statewide public opinion survey – 2014
Downloads
Minnesota Tobacco Tax Poll - 2013
Minnesota Tobacco Tax Poll – 2013
Downloads
Tobacco Coupons in Minnesota – 2012
Tobacco Coupons in Minnesota – 2012
Downloads
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Supplement - 2012
A November 2012 supplement to the peer-reviewed American Journal of Preventive Medicine featured eight articles from ClearWay Minnesota-funded research grantees, five articles from ClearWay Minnesota-funded research projects, a review article by two experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a commentary by Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Downloads
Foreword – Minnesota’s Investment in Tobacco Control Research Findings to Inform Practice and Policy
Minnesota Comprehensive Statewide Smoke Free Law Short Term Effects on Young Adults
Experience of Smokers and recent Quitters With Smoke-Free Regulations and Quitting
Minnesota’s Smoke-Free Policis Impact on Cessation Program Participants
The Role of Public Policies in Reducing Smoking The Minnesota SimSmoke Tobacco Policy Model
Secondhand Smoke and Smoke Free Policies in Owner Occupied Multi-Unit Housing
Smoke-Free Home Rules Adoption by Smokers and NonSmokers Minnesota – 1999-2010
Cigarettes and the Somali Diaspora Tobacco Use Among Somali Adults in Minnesota
Addressing Smoking During Medical Visits Patients and Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Circles of Tobacco Wisdom Learning About Traditional and Commercial Tobacco With Native Elders
College Student Smokers Former Versus Current and Nonsmokers
Influencing Taft Hartley Funds to Provide Tobacco Cessation Benefits
Cessation Outcomes Among Treatment Seeking Menthol and Non-Menthol Smokers
Federal approaches to the Regulation of Non-Cigarette Tobacco Products
Poll: Should Minnesota Raise Our Tobacco Tax? – 2011
Statewide public opinion survey – 2011
Downloads
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Supplement - 2010
Blue Cross Study: Health Care Costs and Smoking - 2010
Health Care Costs and Smoking: The Bottom Line
Unfiltered: A Revealing Look at Today’s Tobacco Industry – 2010
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Supplement - 2008
Economic Impact Study of Local Smoke-Free Ordinances in Minnesota - 2008
Economic Impact Study of Local Smoke-Free Ordinances in Minnesota
Sources of research data include the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota State DemographicCenter (Department of Administration).
Health Impact Study - 2008
Health Impact Study
Tribal Tobacco Use Survey - 2013
Tribal Tobacco Use Survey – 2013
LAAMPP Evaluation – 2010, 2009, 2008
LAAMPP Evaluation – 2010, 2009, 2008
Tobacco Use in Minnesota: A Quantitative Survey of Cambodian, Hmong, Lao and Vietnamese Community Members – 2010
Tobacco Use in Minnesota: A Quantitative Survey of Cambodian, Hmong, Lao and Vietnamese Community Members – 2010
Tobacco Use Among African Americans in Minnesota: A Survey and Conversations with African American Communities – 2009
Tobacco Use Among African Americans in Minnesota: A Survey and Conversations with African American Communities – 2009
Downloads
Tobacco Use in Minnesota: A Quantitative Survey of Members of Minnesota’s Latino Communities – 2008
Tobacco Use in Minnesota: A Quantitative Survey of Members of Minnesota’s Latino Communities – 2008
The report finds that only 4 percent of Minnesota’s Chicana Latina women smoke. However, smoking rates remain relatively high among the men of this community (22 percent).
Information from this report is being used to inform health outreach to the Chicano Latino community throughout the state.
Diverse Racial Ethnic Groups and Nations (DREGAN) Reports – 2006
Diverse Racial Ethnic Groups and Nations (DREGAN) Reports – 2006
Poll: Should E-Cigarette Use be Prohibited in Workplaces and Other Public Places Where Cigarette Use is Currently Banned? – 2014
Statewide public opinion survey – 2014
Downloads
Poll: Should Minnesota Raise Our Tobacco Tax? – 2011
Statewide public opinion survey – 2011
Downloads
Poll: Do Minnesotans Support a Tobacco Tax Increase? - 2009
- At least two thirds of every demographic (political, ideological, age, race, gender, geographic) support tobacco tax increases
- 78 percent of Republicans, 69 percent of Democrats and 66 percent of independents support increases
- Those surveyed cited the health care costs of smoking, helping smokers quit and preventing tobacco use by kids are reasons for increasing taxes