Tobacco plan outlined

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota advisory board is outlining its plans to cut tobacco use in the state.

The proposal is likely to include suggestions for raising North Dakota’s tobacco tax, and a ban on smoking in bars.

North Dakota voters approved the board’s formation last November. It is independent of the state Health Department, and it is financed by money from a state lawsuit settlement against tobacco companies.

Board members are holding a news conference in the Capitol on Tuesday to discuss their proposals.

North Dakota has a cigarette tax of 44 cents a pack. The tax is less than one-third of the tax that’s levied in Minnesota, Montana and South Dakota.

The Legislature was not asked to increase tobacco taxes this year. Lawmakers turned down a bill to ban smoking in bars. Smoking is already against the law in most North Dakota buildings that are open to the public.

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