Jump to full article: Grand Forks (ND) Herald, 2009-04-26
Author: Dr. Terry Dwelle
Intro: Recent letters about the Legislature’s actions regarding Measure 3 wrongly characterized the North Dakota Department of Health as being under the influence of the tobacco industry. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Department of Health has worked very diligently over the years to reduce the toll of tobacco use on the youth and adults of North Dakota. We have consistently relied on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s best practice guidance for tobacco control.
We have worked with local tobacco control coordinators across the state to counter the influences of the tobacco industry. . . .
Neither I nor my staff have ever met with or been influenced by representatives of the tobacco industry. As state health officer, I support any efforts to reduce the impact of tobacco on the citizens of our state. The deadly effects of tobacco use on our friends and family members must be countered with as many resources as we can muster.
The employees of the Department of Health and our local partners have dedicated their lives to protecting the health of every North Dakotan from the dangers of tobacco use. I am very proud of the work they do every day.
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