ND Smoking Ban Boosts Tobacco Control Grades
by Associated Press
January 16, 2013 9:22 AM
The passage by North Dakota voters last November of a comprehensive indoor smoking ban has boosted the state's grades in an annual tobacco "report card" from the American Lung Association.
North Dakota got two A grades - for smoke-free air and for funding tobacco control and prevention programs above the federally recommended amount. Last year the state got a C for smoke-free air.
Two other grades remained unchanged over the year - a C for helping state employees and North Dakotans on Medicare quit smoking and an F for the state's cigarette tax.
South Dakota's grades remained unchanged from last year. The state got a B for smoke-free air, a C for its cigarette tax, a D for cessation programs and an F for tobacco prevention and control funding.
