ABSTRACT
Health professionals—physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, health educators, and others—play a key role in the tobacco control movement, both individually and collectively. In fact, many key players in the movement are health professionals. Finally, health care organizations, such as managed care and health insurance organizations, have come to figure more prominently in the movement. In addition, organizations representing health professionals have also come to play an important role in the movement, both at the national level and in Minnesota. Interestingly, the Minnesota Medical Association's (MMA) involvement in tobacco control issues was sparked by actions taken by the Hennepin County Medical Society's "Auxiliary," which consisted of the spouses of members. One was a commission on health care costs, which included attorneys, business representatives, and MMA members. The second was a commission focusing on tort reform/professional liability. Organizations of health care professionals have played a pivotal role in tobacco control efforts in Minnesota.
