Dakotas rank high in funding of tobacco programs

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota ranks second in the nation and South Dakota eleventh in the funding of programs to prevent youth smoking and to help smokers quit.

The annual rankings were released Thursday by a coalition of public health groups including the Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids and the American Cancer Society. North Dakota's rank did not change over the year. South Dakota's rank fell from eighth in fiscal 2012.

The report says North Dakota spent $8.2 million on tobacco prevention and cessation in fiscal 2013, about 88 percent of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.

South Dakota spent $4 million, about 35 percent of the CDC recommendation.

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