The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Twin Cities the friendliest place to quit smoking? Well, I guess...

The folks who did the ranking are right that there are many more resources, workshops, phone lines, etc. to help Minnesotans quit than when I quit years ago. Right now, a little more than 20 percent of adult Minnesotans smoke, according to the CDC (the state health department estimate is a little lower, but in the ballpark). It will be interesting to see if these numbers drop after the next statewide health survey.

Adult smoking rates usually drops after workplace bans begin, or the price of tobacco goes up. Both of these things have happened in Minnesota this year.

Kudos to PiPress writers Jason Hoppin & MaryJo Sylwester for their page one story today, "Smoking ban fears prove unfounded."

Another skyway don't: stopping. Get where you're going, people!

I'd like to see some discussion of escalator etiquette involving two peculiar specimens of Minnesotans.

First, I would like advice on how to politely interact with people who (a) are apparently unable or unwilling to walk up or down steps, and thus wait to be escalated; and (b) are unable or unwilling to shift their mass to the right so those of us who are not yet morbidly obese might attempt to pass them.

Second, I would like to gain understanding, if not empathy, for people who appear to be suffering from some sort of escalator anxiety, and therefore either freeze up or take lots of little baby steps before embarking on or disembarking from their escalated voyage.

I love the good people of Minnesota, but a lot of us seem to have difficulty moving at a steady rate.

There is no Naughty Entertainment, Inc registered with the State of Minnesota.

There is a Naughty Kitten corporation. haha

Isn't it sad that people will gladly sacrifice 10 seconds of their lives in order to avoid expending any energy on the escalator, but once on the highway, people will risk life and limb in order to regain those 10 seconds?

there was a recent article about how irish women's butts were so fat they need longer needles. settle down you two, the USA is not the worst despite what the lefties want us to think

you should be more critical about the source of your news. it was from some hospital or clinic in Dublin, Ireland. sorry to disappoint but perhaps the USA is no so bad after all

nah that's allright. all those potatos, right? i'm 108 lbs and can bench press 250. no lie!

So now this whole thing about Americans being fat is part of the vast left wing conspiracy, too? That's hilarious.

Actually, I mean that in a non-critical way -- it's, just. Hilarious.

Imagreen is the vast left-wing conspiracy.

Unfortunately it's true although Mexico looks set to surpass the obesity rate of the US next year.

There's a direct inverse correlation between obesity and the legalization of abortion.

(That's a joke! For you Freakonomicals out there....)