I want commend Minnesota Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, and Rep. Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie, for their leadership on closing the "little cigar" tax loophole through the Tobacco Uniformity Act. This bipartisan legislation, which should reach the House and Senate floors soon, will continue to move Minnesota in a healthy direction, starting with our youngest generation.

The Tobacco Uniformity Act addresses a current state law that misclassifies "little cigars" and allows them to be sold cheaply and in kid-friendly flavors — a strategy used by tobacco companies to mask the taste of tobacco and hook new customers. Treating "little cigars" in the tax code for what they really are — cigarettes — will make them subject to the same taxes and fees as cigarettes. This is important because as the price of cigarettes has increased, substantially cheaper "little cigars" have become more attractive, especially to kids, even though their negative health impacts are the same as cigarettes.

Treating similar products in a similar manner not only creates tax stability, it helps dissolve the market advantage that allows tobacco companies to prey on kids. In a recent interview, Rosen said that "the No. 1 addiction out there for these kids is tobacco." She is absolutely right. Great opportunities remain for Minnesota to defend the health of our kids. Legislators from both sides of the aisle agree and have endorsed the Tobacco Uniformity Act. It is a good policy because it combines two priorities that all Minnesotans and lawmakers should support: It protects kids and ensures tax uniformity.

Tobacco continues to be a significant cost and health issue in Minnesota [PDF]. It remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease, costing the state nearly $3 billion a year in excess health-care costs and the lives of more than 5,000 Minnesotans. These dangers cross all boundaries — partisan or otherwise — and affect our family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues. In fact, the financial impacts saddle all Minnesotans. We cannot become indifferent toward tobacco or look at what has been accomplished and declare that our job here is done.

There will be other opportunities before this legislative session ends to focus on health and our kids. Some, such as a tobacco price increase, may serve as a smart component of a final budget compromise. At a time when every short- and long-term dollar counts, legislators need solutions that provide maximum public benefit. A focus on tobacco bears a lasting impact.

Cynthia Bemis Abrams is the president of Cynthia Bemis Abrams Leadership and PR Consulting, and is a member of ClearWay Minnesota's board of directors.