State Grants of $460,000 to Discourage Tobacco Use

Source from:  By staff reports Argus Leader December 2, 2007 12/03/2007

Fifty-five South Dakota school districts will receive grants totaling almost $460,000 from the South Dakota Department of Health to combat tobacco use. The grants may be used to enhance school district tobacco-free policies or to implement tobacco prevention programs throughout the district. Public, tribal and private school districts with an enrollment of at least 100 full-time students in 2006 were offered grants. School districts of fewer than 100 students still may receive free evidence-based tobacco prevention curriculum. The grant awards are paid for through Initiated Measure 2, passed by voters in 2006. The ballot measure increased the tax on tobacco products and allocated funds to the Department of Health for tobacco prevention: $1.7 million for community and school programming, $2.17 million for tobacco cessation and $1.13 million for public education, surveillance and administration. Enditem