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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The Center for Tobacco Prevention and Control Policy (BreatheND) is the former agency charged with tobacco prevention efforts in North Dakota, was dissolved during this year’s legislative session.

The following is a news release issued by Heather Schwehr, Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for City-County Health District.

She said, “this has led to considerable confusion concerning what happens to tobacco prevention efforts locally and across the state.”Schwehr said, “we knew the Department of Health would likely have oversight, but how much funding would be available was of grave concern. In the final weeks of the legislative session the funding picture became significantly more promising.” Schwehr added, “we would be looking at a very different picture without the assistance of a few strong leaders, including Valley City State Senator Larry Robinson and Representative Dwight Kiefert, who pushed for and supported additional funding be added to the tobacco prevention and cessation budget at the Department of Health.”

Theresa Will, Director at CCHD said, “this additional funding will allow local public health units to access grants to continue tobacco prevention, control and policy work which is vital to the health of our communities.”

Starting July 1, 2017, all tobacco prevention, policy, and cessation will be under the leadership of the North Dakota Department of Health.

Lori Thompson RN, and tobacco prevention specialist at CCHD said “North Dakota has been a leader in tobacco prevention. We look forward to continual improvement in these areas as we move ahead under the direction of the Department of Health.”