Smoking

Grand Forks Public Health encourages tobacco users to set quit date

Approximately 19.1 percent of adults continue to smoke in North Dakota.

GRAND FORKS, N.D.–Grand Forks Public Health is among multiple organizations encouraging tobacco and e-cigarette users to set a quit date as a part of It’s Quitting Time. It’s Quitting Time is a partnership between the North Dakota Department of Health, Tobacco Free North Dakota and various North Dakota local public health units to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking….

Fargo Firefighters Respond To Deck Fire

FARGO, ND – The Fargo Fire Department was able to quickly put out a deck fire Saturday night preventing it from spreading into a south Fargo apartment building. The incident happened shortly after 8 at the 1100 block of 22nd street south, investigators believe the cause of the fire was improper disposal of smoking materials. All occupants of the building…

Organizations In Minnesota Want Teens To Know The Dangers Of Vaping

Clearway Minnesota and Clay County Health discussed how to reach the youth.

MINNESOTA – As teens find savvier ways to vape without getting caught, Clearway Minnesota is on a mission to cut at the root of the vaping epidemic. The organization lobbies at the State Capitol to pass stricter tobacco laws. “We have four main policy goals: One is tobacco 21, the second is restricting or prohibiting all flavored tobacco products, the…

4 of 8 Fire Deaths Linked to Smoking in 2020 in Minnesota

Smoking is the leading cause of fatal fires in Minnesota.

ST. PAUL, Minn.–The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reports that four of eight fire deaths so far in 2020 are results of smoking-related incidents. State Fire Marshal Jim Smith is encouraging Minnesotans who smoke to follow simple safety tips for preventing fires. He says to smoke outside and extinguish cigarettes in a sturdy ashtray, avoid discarding cigarettes in potted plants,…

Bills in Minnesota Legislature Aim to Help People Quit Smoking, Raise Tobacco-Buying Age to 21

Experts say more youth are smoking e-cigarettes and vaping as opposed to traditional cigarettes

MINNESOTA — Several bills in the Minnesota legislature are aiming to help people quit smoking and raise the age for buying tobacco to 21. At first glance, some tobacco look like regular school supplies. “Our health teachers went to college and vaping wasn’t part of the curriculum. They’re learning and they’re doing their best to answer questions that are right now,”…

House Defeats Smoking Bill And Republican-led Legislature To Take Up Abortion Bills

Considering abortion restrictions for the first time in six years

BISMARCK, ND — North Dakota’s House has killed legislation that would bar drivers from smoking in the car if they have a passenger younger than 9. Fargo Democratic Rep. Pamela Anderson’s measure would have allowed police to pull over anyone seen smoking with young children in the car and fine them $25. The vote against the bill was 57-31. The Republican-led…

Educators Encourage People to Quit Smoking on “Kick Butts Day”

Nearly 20 percent of adults in North Dakota smoke regularly

FARGO, N.D. — Health educators celebrate “Kick Butts Day” by encouraging people to quit smoking. The first Kick Butts Day was celebrated in 1996. In North Dakota, nearly 20 percent of adults smoke, and one thousand deaths in the state are related to smoking each year. With resources at Fargo Cass Public Health as well as the state’s ND Quits program,…

More Details Released in Fatal Mobile Home Fire in Alexandria

The deaths have been ruled accidental

  ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — Investigators have determined that a mobile home fire in Alexandria that killed two people was caused by careless smoking. The state fire marshal and Alexandria police and fire officials say the fire started in the living room near a couch and recliner. Forty-nine-year-old James Chandler and 59-year-old Rose Couillard died in the fire last Friday. The…