Carver County, MN
Home MenuCommercial Tobacco Prevention and Education
Commercial tobacco use, such as smoking or vaping, is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in Minnesota. Carver County residents can access many resources if they want to learn more about quitting commercial tobacco, the harms of secondhand smoke and aerosol exposure, the risks of vaping, or options for smoke-free housing and tobacco-free open spaces.
What is commercial tobacco?
Commercial tobacco products are tobacco products made and sold by the tobacco industry, such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes (vapes), cigars, and chewing tobacco. Commercial tobacco is different from traditional or sacred tobacco, also known as Cansasa, Asemaa, or Kinnikinnick. Traditional tobacco is used by American Indian communities for sacred and cultural purposes.
Get Help Quitting Commercial Tobacco
Quit Partner (1-800-QUIT-NOW) 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 teens, American Indian communities, and pregnant and postpartum women.
- Quit Partner (for adults)
- My Life, My Quit (for teens)
- American Indian Quitline
- Pregnant and Postpartum Quitline
- Substance Use Disorder and Mental Illness Program
E-Cigarette Use and Vaping
E-cigarettes, or vapes, are battery-powered devices that look like cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. These devices heat a liquid and turn it into an aerosol. This aerosol can contain nicotine, flavorings, and other harmful chemicals. Vaping is risky, especially for youth and teens, because nicotine is highly addictive and can harm the developing brain.
For more information about vaping, visit the Minnesota Department of Health's E-cigarettes and Vaping web page.
Secondhand Smoke or Secondhand Aerosol
Secondhand smoke is a mix of chemicals released from burning tobacco products—such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes—and from exhaled smoke. Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals; hundreds are toxic, and about 70 can cause cancer.
Secondhand aerosol is what a person exhales when using an e-cigarette (vaping). This aerosol contains a mix of tiny particles and chemicals. It can contain nicotine, heavy metals like lead, nickel, and cadmium, cancer-causing chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, and ultrafine particles that can travel deep into the lungs.
Secondhand smoke or aerosol exposure can lead to:
- Lung and heart disease
- Asthma attacks or worsened symptoms
- More colds or respiratory infections
- Increased risk of cancer
- Harm to lung development for infants and an increased risk for sudden unexpected infant death (SUID)
- A greater chance that children will smoke, vape, or use other commercial tobacco products later in life
Visit the Minnesota Department of Health’s Secondhand Smoke and Aerosol web page to learn more.
Smoke-Free Housing
The Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act (MCIAA) prohibits smoking commercial tobacco and cannabis in all common areas of apartment buildings. It considers vaping to be a type of smoking. 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 already put smoke-free policies in place to protect tenants from the health risks of secondhand smoke and aerosol.
There are smoke-free housing options available throughout Carver County. Minnesota's Smoke-Free Housing Directory is a tool that helps people search for smoke-free properties in the county and across the state. Visit the Minnesota Department of Health's Smoke-Free Housing web page to learn more.