Commercial Tobacco Use
Data and Reports

Commercial tobacco use, like smoking, vaping, or using chew, continues to slowly decline. However, our research shows many young people still use e-cigarettes (vape), and for them the signs of nicotine dependency are increasing. In addition, commercial tobacco use rates are not falling at the same pace for all communities. The tobacco industry continues to target communities with price discounts and special promotions for commercial tobacco products.

On this page:
Youth commercial tobacco use
Adult commercial tobacco use
Local commercial tobacco profiles
Community data and reports
Legislative reports

Youth commercial tobacco use

Data from the 2023 Minnesota Youth Tobacco Survey shows 13.9% of Minnesota high school students reported using an e-cigarette in the past 30 days. E-cigarettes are the most used commercial tobacco product among youth, and nearly all e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive.

Data from the Minnesota Youth Tobacco Survey in 2020 and 2023 also show that more students who currently use e-cigarettes are reporting signs of dependence. Overall, 79.6% of students who use e-cigarettes in 2023 report one or more signs of dependence, an increase from 70.4% in 2020.

Significant disparities remain among populations historically targeted by the tobacco industry. Minnesota Student Survey data (2016-2022) show that while, overall, commercial tobacco use is declining, rates are not declining at the same pace for all communities.

Learn more: Data Highlights from the 2023 Minnesota Youth Tobacco Survey (PDF)

Adult commercial tobacco use

2024 data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) show 10.2% of Minnesota adults smoke cigarettes. Among adults, cigarettes continue to be the most used commercial tobacco product. Data also show that while, overall, commercial tobacco use is declining, rates are not declining at the same pace for all communities. Significant disparities remain among populations historically targeted by the tobacco industry.

Learn more: 2024 Minnesota Adult Commercial Tobacco Data – Highlights from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (PDF)

Local commercial tobacco use profiles

Below are local profiles that show commercial tobacco's toll in each county in one year. They also include local and statewide data on products stores sell, youth commercial tobacco use, and community solutions for reducing commercial tobacco use.

Supporting documents

• Minnesota Commercial Tobacco Profile (PDF)
• Technical Notes (PDF)
• Data Tables (PDF)

Community data and reports

• Community Voices: Reducing Tobacco-Related Health Inequities (PDF)
• JUUL Settlement Community Input Process Report (PDF)
• Smoking and Tobacco Use – Menthol Facts – Minnesota
• Smoke-Free Housing Policies Report: Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Evaluation Study
• State Tobacco-Related Disparities Dashboard
• The Toll of Tobacco in Minnesota
• Tribal Tobacco Use Project II: A Key Findings Report for Minnesota American Indian Communities | American Indian Cancer Foundation (PDF)
• Voices of Health: A Survey of LGBTQ Health in Minnesota

Legislative reports

• Tobacco Use Prevention: 2025 Report to the Minnesota Legislature (PDF)
• Tobacco Use Prevention: 2023 Report to the Minnesota Legislature (PDF)
• Tobacco Use Prevention: 2021 Report to the Minnesota Legislature (PDF)
• Tobacco Use Prevention: 2019 Report to the Minnesota Legislature (PDF)
• Tobacco Use Prevention: 2017 Report to the Minnesota Legislature (PDF)