The Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey released findings Thursday that found many Minnesotans have quit smoking. It found the adult smoking rate declined to 17 percent — down from 22 percent in 1999. That represents 164,000 fewer smokers.

Nationally, rates are around 20 percent and have been stuck there since 2004 — which makes the news about Minnesota’s decline all the more impressive.

The Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey is released every four years. The figures released Thursday represent 2007. Previous surveys were done in 2003 and 1999. The surveys are conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota and ClearWay Minnesota.

High tobacco prices and smoke-free policies have bolstered efforts to quit. That makes sense. If you are trying to quit and the person next to you lights up, well, the smell is tempting.

To be sure, these results do not reflect the workplace smoking ban that went into place last October but does reflect local smoking bans. The impact of the state smoking ban could be seen on the next survey.

Quitting smoking saves taxpayer dollars. Who pays to pick up cigarette butts? The taxpayers. Who pays when people can’t pay their medical bills, such as from tobacco-related conditions? The taxpayers big time.

Besides, it simply is good when people take care of themselves.

Dr. Barbara Schillo,director of Research Programs for ClearWay Minnesota, said it best: “This dramatic decline in the smoking rate means that fewer Minnesota families will suffer the health and economic devastation of tobacco-related diseases.”