Stop-smoking Services, Research and Mission to Reduce Exposure to
                          Secondhand Smoke Remain

    MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Minnesota Partnership for
Action Against Tobacco unveiled its new name -- ClearWay Minnesota -- today
at the Minnesota State Fair. ClearWay Minnesota will remain focused on the
organization's vision of eliminating the harm caused by tobacco through
stop- smoking services, research and protecting Minnesotans from secondhand
smoke.
    "After talking to Minnesotans about our organization, we realized that
there was a gap in understanding between the MPAAT name and our vision. We
wanted a name that would reflect our positive aspects, such as research,
cessation programs, community grants and smoke-free initiatives," said
Michael Vekich, ClearWay Minnesota Board Chair. "ClearWay Minnesota was
chosen because people connect it with all aspects of our organization, as
well as with important traits such as leadership, progress, helpfulness,
accessibility and, of course, fresh, smoke-free air."
    Despite the name change, the organization's research, grant-making and
stop-smoking programs will continue unchanged. For example, QUITPLAN(R)
Services will continue to provide stop-smoking assistance through the
QUITPLAN Helpline (1-888-354-PLAN or 7526), quitplan.com and other
community-based programs. In the past five years, the stop-smoking programs
have helped more than 7,800 Minnesotans successfully quit tobacco use and
have saved Minnesotans $24.3 million in health care costs.
    "Our work itself is not changing," said David Willoughby, ClearWay
Minnesota Chief Executive Officer. "On the contrary, we are more committed
than ever to achieving the ambitious goals we have set. ClearWay Minnesota
is all about the future of Minnesota -- a reflection of our comprehensive
approach to eliminating tobacco's harm."
    The new name is being unveiled on the opening day of the State Fair and
will be introduced to Minnesotans at the new ClearWay Minnesota and
QUITPLAN Services booth at the corner of Dan Patch and Cooper Street, two
blocks west of Snelling Avenue. Visitors can find information there about
ClearWay Minnesota, receive a carbon monoxide screening, speak to a
stop-smoking counselor or try the QUITPLAN Challenge miniature golf course.
    Fairgoers -- and Minnesotans trying to quit smoking -- can choose one
of two paths in the miniature golf course to meet the QUITPLAN Challenge.
One leads through a giant ashtray and a "cold turkey" carved out of a
35-pound, 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 3-foot block of polystyrene. The alternative path
is a straight shot to the golf hole.
    "Quitting smoking can be like trying to sink a hole-in-one at the
QUITPLAN Challenge," Willoughby said. "You can choose to quit cold turkey
with limited success, or you can use QUITPLAN Services and greatly reduce
the obstacles to quitting. We know from experience that Minnesotans who get
help are seven times more likely to succeed than those who attempt to quit
cold turkey."
    Reducing tobacco use is an important step in improving the health of
all Minnesotans. Each year in Minnesota, tobacco use causes more than 5,600
deaths and costs the state about $2 billion in health care costs.
    "As ClearWay Minnesota, we're committed to building upon the tremendous
progress already made in Minnesota by continuing to provide affordable and
effective ways for tobacco users to quit, by protecting communities from
secondhand smoke and by conducting research that helps people better
understand the effect of tobacco," Willoughby said.
    ClearWay Minnesota is an independent, non-profit organization that
improves the health of Minnesotans by reducing the harm caused by tobacco.
ClearWay Minnesota serves Minnesota through its grant-making program,
QUITPLAN stop-smoking services and statewide outreach activities. It is
funded with 3 percent of the state's 1998 tobacco settlement.

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