About 17 percent of all deaths in Minnesota this year will be attributable to smoking. Smoking-related illnesses will cost at least $1.3 billion. In spite of these grim figures, almost one-in-three Minnesota ninth graders has experimented with smoking. By the time they reach 12th grade, almost 40 percent smoke cigarettes.

Minnesota Decides is a statewide response to this health epidemic. Throughout the summer, more than 500 Minnesotans gathered in forums in 10 communities to discuss what they believe are the most effective tools to reduce tobacco use. The forums’ purpose was to engage citizens in developing community-based solutions to the epidemic of tobacco. At the forums, the opinions were strong, recommendations were far-reaching and the discussions were no-holds-barred.

What made the forums especially provocative was the mix of participants. For many of those attending the forums, Minnesota Decides was the first time they had participated in a public discussion on tobacco use. Others in the audiences were long-time activists in the effort to reduce tobacco use in Minnesota.

The diversity of the audiences also was reflected in the sponsorship of the community forums. Local chambers of commerce, health providers, employers and National Steel Pellet and United Steelworkers of America were among the community sponsors. They were joined by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the Office of Minnesota Attorney General, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the American Cancer Society-Minnesota Division.

The recommendations from the forums will be the focus of a State Summit in November. The summit will bring together representatives of business, community and health organizations and others in a two-day working session to create the statewide Blueprint for Tobacco Reduction. The summit will build on the outstanding foundation created by the Minnesota Decides community forums.

Written by Dan Johnson, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota