Tobacco Prevention and Education

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The use of tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. It causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease and many other health issues in both those people who use tobacco and those who are exposed to secondhand smoke. There are a number of resources available to residents of Carver County who are interested in more information about quitting tobacco, secondhand smoke exposure, electronic delivery devices and options for smoke free multi-unit housing and tobacco free open spaces in Carver County.

Tobacco Use and COVID-19

A person who smokes may be at greater risk for, and may have a harder time recovering from, COVID-19. Cigarette smoke damages the lungs and the body's immune system so that they don't work as well. Smoking reduces the ability of the body to recover from lung and other illnesses. Visit the Minnesota Department of Health's website to learn more about Commercial Tobacco and COVID-19.

Quitting Tobacco

Quit Partner (1-800-QUIT-NOW) is Minnesota’s new family of programs to help people who want to quit smoking, vaping, chewing or using other commercial tobacco products. Free quitting help for Minnesotans was previously offered by QUITPLAN® Services, which stopped accepting new enrollees after March 31, 2020. In 2019, the Minnesota legislature approved funding for MDH to continue providing all Minnesota residents with free support to quit commercial tobacco.

Quit Partner offers many free support options and resources for Minnesota residents to help them quit in a way that works best for them. Quit Partner offers specialized programs for people living with mental illnesses or substance use disorders, American Indian communities, pregnant and postpartum women, and youth ages 13-17 (My Life, My Quit).

What are electronic delivery devices?

Electronic delivery devices (e-cigarettes) are battery-operated devices that resemble cigarettes, cigars or pipes. These devices are designed to deliver nicotine, flavors and other chemicals and related substances to users in the form of vapor.

For more information about electronic delivery devices, their safety and regulations regarding their use in Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Control’s website on electronic cigarettes.

What is secondhand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)?

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or secondhand smoke, is a mix of chemicals that results from burning tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) and from exhaled smoke.

ETS is a known human carcinogen and causes cancer. No level of exposure is safe. Breathing ETS can cause heart disease and lung cancer in adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ETS is the third leading cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking and exposure to radon. In Minnesota, lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women and the leading cause of cancer death.

ETS is especially hazardous to children. ETS increases the risk for:

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Respiratory illness
Middle ear disease
Worsening of asthma
Low birth weight

To learn more about ETS, how ETS can be prevented, data on ETS and what is being done about ETS in Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s website on Environmental Tobacco Smoke.

Smoke-Free Multi-Unit Housing

The Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act (MCIAA) prohibits smoking in all common areas of apartment buildings. Under the MCIAA, landlords are allowed to strengthen these rules and adopt a smoke-free policy for the entire building. A number of multi-unit housing properties in Carver County have passed smoke-free policies to protect tenants from the negative health risks of secondhand smoke.

There are options for smoke free housing in Carver County. The smoke free housing directory link is a tool to search smoke-free properties in Carver County and Minnesota.

Tobacco-Free Open Spaces

Carver County has a limited amount of outdoor spaces that prohibit the use of tobacco. Carver County Public Health works with a number of county entities to increase the amount of space that is tobacco free.

Tobacco use is prohibited on all Carver County beaches, play areas and within 25 feet from Parks and Recreation buildings.
Many childcare centers have rules that prohibit the use of tobacco and electronic delivery devices on all outdoor property
100% of schools, government buildings and hospitals prohibit the use of tobacco on all owned, leased and rented properties
A number of businesses have rules that prohibit the use of tobacco on all premises in order to create healthy and safe environments for patrons and customers

The tobacco free outdoor recreational area directory lists all counties in Minnesota that have smoke free outdoor recreational policies.

Carver County, MN