U.S. State and Local Issues

Spending on Tobacco Prevention: Minnesota

Last updated November 29, 2011

  FY2012 FY2011
State Rank 10 10
State Spending on Tobacco Prevention $19.5 million $19.6 million
% of CDC Recommended Spending
($58.4 million)		 33.4% 33.6%

Summary: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that Minnesota spend $58.4 million a year to have an effective, comprehensive tobacco prevention program. Minnesota currently allocates $19.5 million a year for tobacco prevention and cessation. This is 33.4% of the CDC’s recommendation and ranks Minnesota 10th among the states in the funding of tobacco prevention programs. Minnesota’s spending on tobacco prevention amounts to 3.1% of the estimated $633 million in tobacco-generated revenue the state collects each year from settlement payments and tobacco taxes.

Recent Developments: In FY2012, legislatively-allocated funding for tobacco prevention remains low, though Minnesota continues to benefit from the 1998 settlement reached between the tobacco industry and both the state and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota. This settlement resulted in the creation of ClearWay Minnesota, an independent non-profit organization that allocates funds for tobacco prevention free from legislative action. Authorized for 25 years, Clearway Minnesota will close its doors in 2023.

In FY2012, Minnesota is scheduled to spend $19.5 million for tobacco prevention and cessation programs – including $16.3 million approved by ClearWay Minnesota’s Board of Directors and $3.2 million in state funds. Also party to the state’s individual tobacco settlement, Blue Cross/Blue Shield was allocated $241 million in settlement funds, aiding the launch of a long-term initiative in 2006 to improve the health of Minnesotans. Although Blue Cross expenditures on tobacco prevention are substantial, they are not public funds, and therefore do not meet the criteria for inclusion in the state total of this report.

In addition, Minnesota is receiving $1.9 million in federal funds dedicated to tobacco prevention and control:

  • $1.2 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a 12-month grant for the period beginning April 2011 (from annual appropriations).

  • $109,218 from the Prevention and Public Health Fund in the new health care reform law. 

  • $584,354 from the Food and Drug Administration for enforcement of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, including the provision regarding tobacco sales to minors.