BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) _ 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.
The association gave North Dakota two A grades _ one for smoke-free air and one for funding state tobacco control and prevention programs above the federally recommended amount. 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 what the association says is a low 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.
