New Board Members Introduced

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At its Board Meeting on Nov. 18, the Board of Directors of ClearWay Minnesota approved five grants for new research on topics ranging from cigarette replacement products to commercial tobacco use in Minnesota's American Indian communities. ClearWay Minnesota will award more than $1.8 million to Minnesota researchers through these grants.

"These new grant awards show our continuing commitment to the innovative research that shapes our work to reduce tobacco's harm," said David Willoughby, Chief Executive Officer at ClearWay Minnesota. "This significant investment in research will pay healthy dividends for Minnesotans well into the future."

Five research grants totaling $1,871,513 were awarded to:

    --  Public Health Law Center, for The Regulation of Cigarette Replacement
        Products in Minnesota - This is a two-year research award not to exceed
        $246,941. This project will identify and evaluate potential local and
        state policies in Minnesota to control the sale and use of cigarette
        replacement products. Principal Investigator for this project is Mike
        Freiberg, J.D.
    --  The Mayo Clinic, for Smoke-Free Workplace Laws and the Incidence of
        Acute Cardiac Events in Olmsted County, Minnesota - This is a three-year
        research award not to exceed $512,515. The research project will
        determine if the implementation of smoke-free workplace laws in Olmsted
        County reduced the incidence of acute cardiac events. Principal
        Investigators for this project are Richard Hurt, M.D., and Veronique
        Roger, M.D., M.P.H.
    --  Regents of the University of Minnesota, for Evaluation of an Integrated
        Work Safety-Smoking Cessation Program - This is a three-year research
        award not to exceed $517,192. In partnership with Carver County Public
        Health, this project will examine an intensive work safety and smoking
        cessation program in 20 small manufacturing worksites in Carver and
        Scott counties. Principal Investigators for this project are Deborah
        Hennrikus, Ph.D., and Rae Jean Madsen, R.N., P.H.N.
    --  Regents of the University of Minnesota, for Extending Success 3: Elders
        and Tobacco - This is a three-year research award not to exceed
        $465,750. In partnership with the American Indian Policy Center and the
        Inter-Tribal Elder Services, this project will expand and test Circles
        of Tobacco Wisdom, a program to engage elders more directly in
        addressing commercial tobacco use in the Twin Cities' American Indian
        communities. Principal Investigators for this project are Jean Forster,
        Ph.D., M.P.H., and John Poupart, M.P.A.

    --  Regents of the University of Minnesota, for Formative Research to
        Develop a Physician-Delivered Tobacco Cessation Intervention for People
        Living with HIV/AIDS - This is an 18-month research award not to exceed
        $129,115. This study partners with Rainbow Health Initiative to increase
        the understanding of HIV/AIDS patients and their experiences with
        physician-led tobacco interventions. Principal Investigators for this
        project are Keith Horvath, Ph.D., and Loretta Worthington, M.A., M.S.P.

The Nov. 18 Board meeting also saw the introduction of two new Board Members:

    --  Jim Rhodes - Rhodes is a former state representative and was appointed
        to the Board by Governor Tim Pawlenty in October. His term on the Board
        begins immediately.

    --  Ed Reynoso - Reynoso is a district manager for the Teamsters union and
        was appointed by Attorney General Lori Swanson in October. His term on
        the Board begins immediately.

About ClearWay Minnesota(SM)

ClearWay Minnesota is an independent nonprofit organization that improves the health of Minnesotans by reducing the harm caused by tobacco. ClearWay Minnesota serves Minnesota through its grant-making program, QUITPLAN(R) stop-smoking services and statewide outreach activities. It is funded with 3 percent of the state's 1998 tobacco settlement. For more information on ClearWay Minnesota or QUITPLAN Services, call 952-767-1400 or visit clearwaymn.org.

    Contact: Mike Sheldon
    Communications Manager
    (952) 767-1425

SOURCE ClearWay Minnesota