State should make resolution to quit smoking

Published Friday, December 29, 2006

For many people, the holiday season is characterized by indulgence. Well, let’s be honest: for a lot of us, it's characterized by overindulgence. We all do it — eat too much, drink too much, and spend too much, all in the name of “good cheer.”

But happily, the New Year offers us a chance to wipe the slate clean and begin anew. One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to improve our health by quitting smoking. The promise of a fresh start applies equally to the individual who wants to quit smoking and to our newly elected officials who will convene in St. Paul on January 3 to begin session.

As we all know, New Year’s resolutions are made with the best of intentions, but can be difficult to maintain once the initial motivation wears off. That is why it is important to get help in order to be successful. In the case of smoking, science has proven that nicotine is extremely addictive. But while the addiction is powerful, you don't have to talk to most smokers for very long before they’ll tell you they want to quit. And fortunately, any Minnesotan who wants help quitting has access to help.

It is not only smokers who should be making New Year’s resolutions to improve their health by quitting smoking. Governor Pawlenty and the Legislature should also make a resolution to protect all Minnesotans from secondhand smoke in workplaces by passing a statewide smoke-free law. According to the U.S Surgeon General, there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, which causes “premature death and disease in children and nonsmoking adults.”

So, this year, let’s have a statewide New Year’s resolution to quit smoking and pass a comprehensive smoke-free law. Minnesotans who want to quit can get help, and those who work at or patronize the many public places that have not yet gone smoke-free won't have to worry about secondhand smoke damaging their health. Let’s make sure that as many Minnesotans as possible are around to see the next New Year, and other New Years yet to come.

David J. Willoughby, M.A. ClearWay Minnesota Chief Executive Officer