Theresa Will, Bismarck, column: Tobacco prevention pays off in N.D.

Talk about it

By Theresa Will

BISMARCK — Tobacco is a big problem in North Dakota. Each year it kills more than 800 people and costs the people of North Dakota more than $247 million in increased health care spending.

The Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control was created by a statewide initiated measure in 2008 to drive tobacco-free policies that reduce secondhand smoke and promote a tobacco-free North Dakota. The people of North Dakota voted to use tobacco settlement dollars to prevent tobacco use and the harms caused by it.

Since 2009, we have achieved many positive results that are saving lives and saving money for the people of North Dakota.

One of the center’s missions has been to coordinate with local public health units across the state to promote the adoption and enforcement of tobacco-free policies on school campuses. Since the comprehensive program was put into place, the number of North Dakota school districts that have adopted comprehensive tobacco-free policies has increased from 60 to 102.

In addition to K-12 schools, we also work to promote tobacco-free college campuses across North Dakota. Colleges and universities that enforce comprehensive tobacco-free policies have increased from five to 12 campuses. These policies are a critical component that prevent young adults from starting to use tobacco.

And, our work is paying off.

According to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey of North Dakota high school students, smoking rates among high school students decreased from 22.4 percent in 2009 to 19.4 percent in 2011. It’s not just smoking rates that are down, either. The survey also reported a decrease in the use of other tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, snuff and dip, from 15.3 percent in 2009 to 13.6 percent in 2011.

The positive effects of our work can be felt across all of North Dakota, not just on school campuses. Since the comprehensive program was put in place, an additional five communities have passed smoke-free ordinances prohibiting smoking in public places, including bars, bringing the total number of smoke-free communities to seven in North Dakota.

And, there are more communities working toward that same goal. “Smoke-free” is becoming the norm in businesses, cities, public places and college campuses, which has effectively contributed to the decline of tobacco use among adults in North Dakota, from 18.1 percent in 2008 to 17.4 percent in 2010.

We also have waged a successful advertising campaign that has educated the people of North Dakota about the expensive cost of tobacco use, in both lives lost and dollars spent.

In addition, an independent assessment report commended our efforts as well as the state Department of Health, local public health units and other partners in reducing the health and social costs of tobacco use in North Dakota.

Dr. Kyle Muus of the Center for Rural Health and one of the report’s authors said that our program and staff have done a good job in working toward our goals, especially considering how early in the process we are.

We are incredibly pleased by the positive results we’ve seen so far, but our work won’t be done until we help all smokers quit and tobacco use in North Dakota is driven to the low single digits. Despite the success we’ve achieved, we still face some daunting challenges as we continue to work toward saving lives and saving money in North Dakota.

Even though public opinion tells us that the people of North Dakota want and need tobacco-free policies, the influence of Big Tobacco is very strong. Every year, the tobacco industry spends $12.8 billion nationwide marketing its products. That’s more than $35 million a day or roughly $25 promoting tobacco for every $1 we spend fighting it.

But the fight against tobacco is a winnable battle. Science and experience provide us with proven, cost-effective strategies that prevent kids from using tobacco, help current tobacco users quit and protect everyone from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

Thanks to the voters, North Dakota has one of only two fully-funded tobacco prevention programs in the country. We are dedicated to continuing our efforts to save lives and money by lowering and preventing tobacco use in our state.

Will is chairman of the Tobacco Prevention and Control Executive Committee.

Tags: op-ed columns, tobacco prevention, opinion, smoking, health, updates