Nurses say, 'Vote yes on Measure 3'
BISMARCK -- The North Dakota Nurses Association urges a yes vote on Measure 3. We see the grim results of tobacco being the leading preventable cause of disease and death in our state. Right now, we have a chance to change a tragic situation, by voting yes on Measure 3.
Measure 3 will save lives, taxpayer dollars and healthcare dollars. Measure 3 will use some of our "tobacco settlement" funds as they were intended -- to keep our children from using tobacco and to help those who do quit. Measure 3 creates a comprehensive statewide program based on Centers for Disease Control recommendations.
No tax money would be used to fund this tobacco prevention program. Only money that North Dakota gets from the tobacco companies as part of the tobacco settlement would be used.
These CDC-recommended programs really work. After implementing its CDC-based program, California saw its smoking rates drop to 14 percent, compared with 21 percent for North Dakota. California's lung cancer rates have declined four times faster than the rest of the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
We can realize similar health improvements and savings in North Dakota, but only if voters adopt Measure 3. Let's finally get serious about tobacco prevention and cessation. Let's give North Dakota's health community the tools necessary to save lives and diminish the toll of tobacco in the state.
Wanda Rose
Rose is president of the North Dakota Nurses Association.
