As of today, people driving into Minnesota from three states will be reminded that the air is cleaner here.
Three billboards showing a satellite image of Minnesota as the clear green spot in a fog of tobacco smoke went up on highways at the borders of Wisconsin, South Dakota and North Dakota.
They were provided by three local anti-smoking coalitions who say they want to brag about Minnesota's status as the only state in the region with a state-wide smoking ban. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota provided the funding for the advertising.
"Today, our neighbors are not smoke-free," said Cynthia Piette, project coordinator for Smoke-Free Washington County, which is sponsoring a billboard on Interstate Hwy. 94 in Woodbury just over the border from Wisconsin. "We are the regional leader."
The antismoking groups chose today to unveil the billboards because it's "Kick Butts Day," and in honor of the six-month anniversary of the state's anti-smoking ban, which was April 1.
Josephine Marcotty • 612-673-7394
