Iowa Health Initiative Launches to Reduce Iowa’s High Tobacco Burden

Today, Iowa’s top public health advocacy organizations announced the launch of the Iowa Health Initiative (IHI), a new coalition dedicated to reducing the death and disease caused by tobacco use in our state. IHI brings together dozens of public health, community, business, and health care organizations to advance proven, fact-based policies that save lives, improve health, and strengthen Iowa’s future.

Iowa has the second highest cancer rates in the nation, and tobacco use is linked to 31.4% of cancer deaths in our state. The leading cause of death in the nation, including Iowa, tobacco use is linked to at least 12 types of cancers and kills 5,100 Iowans yearly. Although these hazards are well established, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 12.9% of adults in Iowa smoke and 1,300 Iowa kids start to smoke daily each year. Tobacco use costs the state $1.49 billion annually in health care expenditures.

“This should be a clear wake up call for lawmakers to say it’s time for Iowa to stand up to Big Tobacco,” said Jackie Cale, Iowa government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “For too long, Iowa has allowed the tobacco industry to addict people to deadly, cancer-causing products. It’s time to say, enough is enough.’ Iowans deserve better.”  

Research shows that strong tobacco control policies, like significant and comprehensive tobacco tax increases are effective in helping people quit. Fewer people using tobacco products means less suffering and death from tobacco-related diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.

“Lawmakers should immediately pass legislation to raise the tax on cigarettes by $1.50 per pack with a parallel tax on all other tobacco products. Increasing tobacco taxes is one of the most effective ways to support cessation and reduce tobacco use. Tobacco companies know how effective these policies are at preventing children from starting to smoke and helping adults quit and they have lobbied hard against them,” said Kristina Hamilton, MPH, director of advocacy for Iowa and Illinois for the American Lung Association.

Currently, Iowa has a $1.36 per pack tax on cigarettes, which is well below the national average. The tobacco tax increase IHI proposed would help 9,400 adult Iowans quit, prevent 2,500 Iowa kids from being adults who smoke, and generate $78.39 million in revenue for the state.

“As a pediatrician, I’ve seen the devastating effects of tobacco use on families across Iowa firsthand," said Dr. Amy Kimball, Pediatrician, IHI member, and Iowa AAP E-Cigarette Chapter Champion. "Raising the cigarette tax and creating an e-cigarette tax are two of the most effective tools we have to reduce tobacco use, prevent kids from starting, and save lives. These policies aren’t just good public health interventions, they are life-saving measures that will reduce cancer and other chronic health conditions and protect the next generation from addiction in our communities.”

For more information about the Iowa Health Initiative, please visit https://iowahealthinitiative.org/.