Throughout the year, our blog will feature AHA volunteer stories of survival and hope. We know there are thousands of stories like these - thats why we want to say “Thanks” to all of you for giving your time and sharing your lives with us. You can’t spell CURE without U! Thank you for all you do to build healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. YOU’RE THE CURE!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

A Win-Win-Win for Minnesota!

Despite much progress over the past several years, tobacco use continues to be a leading cause of preventable death and disease in Minnesota. More than 5,100 Minnesotans lose their lives to tobacco use each year and smoking costs Minnesotans nearly $3 billion a year in related health care costs. The American Heart Association recognizes this threat and promotes a $1.50 per pack tobacco price increase. It’s a win-win-win for Minnesota! A tobacco price increase should be part of a broader state budget solution because it offers new revenue, benefits Minnesotans’ health and protects our children.

Ask your legislator to protect health and our kids while helping address our state budget challenges by supporting a $1.50 per pack tobacco price increase

WIN: Protects Kids
  • Raising the price of tobacco is one of the most effective ways to keep kids from using tobacco
  • Estimated to save 61,700 Minnesota kids from becoming smokers. That’s about the number of kids currently enrolled in 8th grade in Minnesota!

WIN: Protects Health

  • Raising the price of tobacco is one of the most effective ways to encourage tobacco users to quit. In fact a $1.50 increase will help more than 28,000 Minnesotans to quit smoking

WIN: Provides Revenue

  • Raises $200 million per year in new state revenue
  • One of the public’s preferred methods for helping reach a budget compromise

Ask your legislator to support a win-win-win for Minnesota by supporting a $1.50 increase in the tobacco tax

Thank you for helping to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.


Your MN Advocacy Team,

Anne, Justin and Rachel

1 comment:

Steve said...

I would like to see everyone quit smoking.
However, If kids that can't afford $5.50 a pack still smoke, why would an increase in price help them quit?