NEWS RELEASE

11-27-2005

For More Information, Contact:

Kathleen Mangskau, Director

Division of Tobacco Control and Prevention

North Dakota Department of Health

Phone: 701.328.4517

E-mail:      kmangska@state.nd.us

 

Adult and Youth Smoking Rates Dropping in North Dakota

Current Smokers Encouraged To Quit During Great American Smokeout

 

BISMARCK, N.D. – Results from two recent surveys show the rates of adult and youth smoking in North Dakota are dropping. The 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) shows that 19.9 percent of North Dakota adults smoke, down from 23.3 percent in 2000. The 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) shows that 22 percent of high school students are current smokers, down from 41 percent in 1999.

“The downward trend in North Dakota’s smoking rate is very encouraging,” said Kathleen Mangskau, director of the North Dakota Department of Health’s Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control. “Continued support for tobacco prevention programs in our state has really made a difference in preventing young people from starting and helping current smokers quit.”

“Our local tobacco prevention programs and our other partners are doing great things for the people they serve,” Mangskau said. “The programs they provide to their communities are really getting the message out about the dangers of tobacco and are helping many people find the resources they need to quit using tobacco.”

Local tobacco prevention programs are supported by the Community Health Grant Program, which is funded by the North Dakota legislature with money received from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Tobacco coordinators across North Dakota use the funding to do such things as provide tobacco prevention curricula and training to area schools, provide information to youth and community groups about the dangers of tobacco use, support smoke-free environments and provide assistance and counseling to people who want to quit using tobacco.

 

“We’re very happy that the number of North Dakota adults and youth who smoke is going down, but there are still many more whose health is at risk and who need help quitting,” Mangskau said.  

November 17 is the 29^th annual Great American Smokeout, an ideal time for current smokers to quit. For more information about quitting, call the North Dakota Tobacco Quitline at 1.866.388.7848.

 

Please note: To access archived news releases and other information, visit the North Dakota Department of Health Press Room at www.nddohpressroom.gov.