Tobacco Prevention Program

The Tobacco Prevention Program offers comprehensive tobacco prevention and control measures in Dickey County in the following areas:

  • Prevent Youth Initiation to Tobacco Use.
  • Promote Cessation.
  • Reduce and Eliminate Secondhand Smoke.
  • Identify High Risk Groups for Use and Difficulty in Quitting.

North Dakota’s Smoke-Free Law

North Dakota’s smoke-free law protects people from exposure to secondhand smoke:

  • In all enclosed* areas of public places and places of employment such as restaurants, bars, truck stops, guest rooms and common areas within hotels and motels, healthcare facilities, long-term care centers, assisted living centers, licensed adult day care facilities, retail tobacco stores, hookah establishments, workplace vehicles, charitable gambling and gaming licensed facilities, and places of public access that may be leased for private functions.
  • Within twenty (20) feet of entrances, exits, operable windows, air intakes, and ventilation systems of an establishment in which smoking is prohibited by the law.

* Enclosed area means all space between a floor and ceiling that has thirty-three percent or more of the surface area of its perimeter bounded by opened or closed walls, windows, or doorways. A wall includes any physical barrier regardless of whether it is open or closed.

The full text of the code can be found in the North Dakota Century Code Sections 23-12-09 through 23-12-11.

Prevent Youth Initiation

To be effective at reducing youth initiation, the focus must be on adults and social norm change rather than be on adolescent tobacco use prevention. The intent of this social norm change is to create a social and legal environment where tobacco becomes less desirable, less acceptable, and less accessible. The following is what works in preventing youth from tobacco addiction:

  • Increased tobacco tax visit: Benefits to Increased Tobacco Tax
  • Tobacco Free School Policies, Comprehensive policy that is 24/7 and prohibited tobacco use among students, staff, and visitors. Comprehensive smoke free law that cover work places and public places.
  • Media campaigns with three consistent themes: the tobacco industry lies, nicotine is addictive, and secondhand smoke kills.
  • Limiting and regulating tobacco products, activities, and influence (by adopting strong retailer licensing laws, requiring all schools to be tobacco free)
  • Increased cessation services

Promote Cessation

The ND Tobacco Quitline is the primary source to help tobacco users quit effectively. Quitline services are free and replacement therapy products are available to qualified callers.

  • NDQUITS Provides free counseling, advice and support, along with free nicotine replacement products for those who qualify. Call 1.800.QUIT.NOW (1.800.784.8669).
  • My Life My Quit Assists people under the age of 18 who are addicted to nicotine through cigarettes, chew, or e-cigarettes/vaping devices through a free and confidential program. Text or call 1.855.891.9989 for real-time coaching.

Reduce and Eliminate Secondhand Smoke

Millions of Americans, both children and adults, are still exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces despite substantial progress in tobacco control in recent years. Smoke free laws that cover all workplaces reduce heart attack rates for communities by 17% the first year and up to 36% by year three.

Related Links:

For more information on the Tobacco Prevention Program, please contact our office at 701-349-4348.