How Montana's Smoking Ban Made a Difference

State officials are marking the 20-year anniversary of Montana's decision to ban indoor smoking at work and "indoor public places", saying the move has had a huge impact on both the number of people smoking and cases of lung cancer.

The Department of Public Health and Human Services says the Clean Indoor Air Act helped cut smoking rates in half, from 19% of the population in 2005 to 12% in 2023. At the same time, teen smoking dropped from 20% to 7%, although that also came when many smokers switched to vaping.

Lung cancer has dropped by 40%, with deaths from lung cancer almost cut in half.

The rule has weathered some changes in recent years, with amendments also to cover vaping and e-cigarettes.

🚭 And last session, a move to return smoking to so-called "cigar lounges" failed in the Legislature.

Parks aren't closed

You can still get through the gates at both Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, even with the government shutdown, just don't expect any additional services.

All of the National Parks, including ours here in the Northern Rockie,s will remain open during this shutdown, which hasn't always been the case in the past. But the National Park Service says some facilities, like visitor centers, will remain closed until Congress comes to an agreement.

While that means no one is manning the entry booths, that's usually what happens about now anyway, because we're moving into the off-season. And in Glacier, the park stopped requiring vehicle reservations a few days ago.

While the parks are getting by on a minimal crew, so will other government agencies, like the Forest Service. But again, critical operations for things like law enforcement and fire protection remain in place.

Daines: shutdown is a political stunt

Senator Steve Daines is convinced the shutdown is merely a "political stunt" by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to maintain his influence. And he noted on Fox News yesterday that a few Democrats have already broken ranks.

Dennis Bragg photo

"They begin with a bang, they end with a whimper. At some point, they'll realize keeping their hand on that hot stove is not a good idea. It becomes very painful."- Senator Steve Daines (R)

Daines hopes an agreement can be reached on a continuing resolution so that both parties can resume full negotiations on an appropriations bill to pass in November.

New options for "high-risk" breast cancer patients

Billings Clinic opens a new clinic, which will provide specialized care for patients with an elevated risk of breast cancer.

The Reger Family High-Risk Breast Clinic will be the first and only of its kind in the state. Steve Reger says his family wanted to help with something that could help patients for "years to come."

🏥 The clinic will start taking patients from across Montana and Wyoming this fall.

Whitefish demonstrator update

Three demonstrators who were arrested for protesting outside the Whitefish Border Patrol Station last month are fighting their misdemeanor charges.

The Daily Interlake reports the trio has all entered "not guilty" pleas to charges of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, and obstructing a law enforcement officer in mid-September.

The three were protesting the apprehension of a mother and daughter, who were detained following an auto accident for having "no legal status" in the U.S. At last report, they had been transferred to Texas.

Big highway project coming to NE Montana

Montana Department of Transportation engineers say everything is set for a $26-million project next year to improve Highway 24 in Valley County, which provides the main link between Glasgow and Fort Peck. The nearly 14-mile project will rebuild and widen the road, adding safety features like rumble strips.