It’s been five years since Minnesota enacted its ban on smoking in restaurants, bars and other workplaces. Who could imagine ever going back to how it was? It is so nice for nonsmokers and especially families with children to not encounter and breathe smoke-filled air in a public establishment.

Dr. Edward Ehlinger, the state health commissioner, said a study from the Mayo Clinic shows a decline in heart attacks after the ban took effect. Ehlinger said there’s a notable decline in exposure to secondhand smoke and the number of addicted smokers has dropped.

Even though strides have been made in the health of Minnesotans, the American Lung Association estimates 625,000 Minnesotans still smoke. It attributes the deaths of 5,100 state residents each year to smoking.

We praise Minnesotans who have quit smoking, and we encourage Minnesotans who still smoke to keep trying to quit. You can do this.