Entries by Erin Hill-Oban

Senators Hear Tobacco Tax Bill

By Steph Scheurer, Reporter, KX News State senators hear a bill to increase the tax on tobacco. If passed, the tax on a pack of cigarettes would increase to two dollars. “I support this bill whole-heartedly,” says Valerie Schoepf, Vice President, Tobacco Free Coalition. Valerie Schoepf is Vice President of the Tobacco Free Coalition. Today […]

Increases in tobacco tax opposed by businesses

By Mike Nowatzki, Forum Communications BISMARCK — Retailers and distributors urged state lawmakers Tuesday to snuff out a bill that would raise North Dakota’s tobacco taxes for the first time in 22 years, warning it could have a “devastating” impact on businesses, spur cigarette smuggling and unfairly burden smokers who can least afford it. Backers […]

Teen tobacco users likely to use it in multiple forms

By Reuters Media A national survey of U.S. middle and high school students finds that those who use tobacco or nicotine products are likely to also use more than one type of product. About 15 percent of the adolescents reported smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, bidis, hookahs or water pipes, using dissolvable forms of tobacco or […]

Opinion: Raise tobacco tax

By: REBEKAH HARTMAN, Mandan It is time for North Dakota to raise the tobacco tax. I know firsthand that raising the price is an effective way to help people quit smoking. I am personally affected by our state’s low rate of tobacco taxes as my husband is in a constant struggle to battle his addiction to […]

Proposed tobacco tax hike debated

By Nick Smith, Bismarck Tribune Health care officials gathered to voice support Tuesday for an increase to the state’s tobacco tax while business leaders lined up in defense of the status quo. Nearly 50 people packed the Fort Totten Room for the hearing on House Bill 1421 before the House Finance and Taxation Committee. HB1421 […]

Grand Forks Park Board still uncertain on tobacco ban

By Charly Haley, Grand Forks Herald After about 15 people stood up simultaneously during a Grand Forks Park Board meeting Tuesday and told the board they support tobacco-free parks, most board members remained uncertain about banning tobacco use. “A general issue is, does the Park Board want to keep in fidelity with its mission to […]

New CDC Report Shows Big Drop in Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Americans, But 58 Million Still Exposed – Every State and Community Should be Smoke-Free

Statement of Susan M. Liss, Executive Director, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids WASHINGTON, DC – The percentage of Americans exposed to secondhand smoke has fallen by more than half since 1999, but one in four non-smokers – 58 million people altogether – was still exposed in 2011-2012, according to a new report issued today by the […]

Pro-business lobby speaks out against ND tobacco tax bills

By Nick Smith / Bismarck Tribune BISMARCK – Lawmakers attempting to raise the state’s tax on tobacco products for the first time in more than two decades acknowledge long odds as they face off with business groups that have successfully beaten back previous efforts. One tobacco tax bill has been introduced in each chamber. The […]

Congress Should Back President Obama’s Tobacco Tax Plan – It Will Protect Kids, Save Lives and Cut Health Care Costs

Statement of Susan M. Liss, Executive Director, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids WASHINGTON, DC – The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids strongly supports President Obama’s proposal to increase the federal tobacco tax, which is a proven way to prevent kids from smoking, save lives and reduce tobacco-related health care costs. In his FY 2016 budget released today, […]