ND Smoking Ban Boosts Tobacco Control Grades - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

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 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.