Jennifer K. Ibrahim, PhD¹, Jennifer Welle, MS², and Stanton A. Glantz, PhD². (1) Center for Tobacco Control Research & Education, University of California, San Francisco, 530 Parnassus Ave. Suite 366, San Francisco, CA 94143-1390, 415-476-0813, ibrahim@itsa.ucsf.edu, (2) University of California, San Francisco, Center for Tobacco Control Research & Education, 530 Parnassus Ave. Suite 366, San Francisco, CA 94143

Objective: To describe the shift in tobacco control efforts from the state to local level. Methods: Information on tobacco control policymaking was gathered through interviews with health advocates and elected officials and reviews of newspaper articles and tobacco industry internal documents. Results: North Dakota met success with the passage of clean indoor air legislation in 1987, as a result of a strong leader, an active coalition, a well-developed plan, and a legislative champion. The subsequent infiltration of the legislature by tobacco industry lobbyists in the late 1980's halted the passage of state-level tobacco control policy, shifting the focus to the local level. In 1990, Grand Forks passed the first local tobacco control ordinance in the state, restricting cigarette vending machine placement to bars and liquor stores. The tobacco industry has been less successful in infiltrating local politics, resulting in the passage of 38 local tobacco control ordinances including the first smoke-free restaurant ordinance in Minot. Minot defeated traditional tobacco industry tactics, including a referendum, with strong leadership, a solid coalition, and engagement of the public, setting the stage for the passage of smoke-free restaurant ordinances across the state. Following a retreat to the local level in the late 1980s, state health advocates have been unable to harness the success at the local level to push a statewide agenda. Conclusion: Blocked at the state level, health advocates shifted the policy battle from the state to the local level. Forcing the tobacco industry into unfamiliar territory has led to strong local tobacco control policies in North Dakota.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the shift in tobacco control efforts in North Dakota from the state to local level.
• Evaluate the political situation and the influence of the tobacco industry on tobacco control policymaking in North Dakota.
• Discuss the importance and effectiveness of maintaining control of the venue and framing of an issue when working to advance tobacco control measures.

Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Tobacco Control

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.