#FAIL: North Dakota Flunks Out When it Comes to Tobacco Control

North Dakota recently received the absolute worst grade possible from the American Lung Association, when its performance at tobacco control underwent its annual assessment.

That's right, folks: an F.

Most who live here would agree, there's some pretty good stuff going on in North Dakota. It's one of the most affordable places in the country to live; its residents rank among the happiest in the nation; and it's just a darn nice place to live.

Unfortunately that trend doesn't hold when the subject changes to the ALA's 2016 State of Tobacco Control Report, on which the state gets the dreaded F in the area of tobacco taxation.

North Dakota did better in other areas of the assessment, receiving a C for access to cessation (resources for kicking the habit) and an A for both smoke-free air and prevention and control program spending.

Placing a high tax on tobacco products is the most effective way to prevent their abuse, particularly in children. North Dakota places a 44-cent-per-pack tax on cigarettes, one of the lowest in the country.