New Report Reveals Iowa Must Focus on Increasing the Tobacco Tax to Reduce Death and Disease from Tobacco Use

A new report from the American Lung Association urges Iowa lawmakers to focus on increasing the tax on all tobacco products to reduce the overwhelming human and financial burden of tobacco use. The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to prevent nicotine dependence and protect kids

In the 2025 report, Iowa received the following grades:

1. Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
2. Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade B
3. Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade F
4. Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade D
5. Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F

“In addition to grading Iowa’s tobacco control policies, this year’s ‘State of Tobacco Control’ report examines the tobacco industry’s increasingly aggressive actions to addict a new generation to tobacco and hinder proven public policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use,” said Kristina Hamilton, Director of Advocacy at the American Lung Association in Iowa. “Here in Iowa, we are seeing industry lobbyists working to stop or weaken proven effective policies. The industry is also appealing to youth by introducing new products like e-cigarettes that mimic smartphones, kid-friendly flavors and flavored nicotine pouches that are heavily marketed by social media influencers.”

Hamilton added: “In 2025, policymakers in Iowa must focus on increasing the tax on all tobacco products, including finally taxing alternative nicotine products.”

Increasing taxes on all tobacco products, including alternative nicotine products (or e-cigarettes), is one of the most effective ways to reduce tobacco use, especially among youth. Multiple studies have shown that every 10% increase in the price of cigarettes reduces consumption by about 4% among adults and about 7% among youth. Iowa should increase its tax on cigarettes, which has not been done in 18 years, and impose an excise tax on e-cigarettes.

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report urges Congress to provide additional funding to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so they can enforce against and remove all illegal e-cigarettes the tobacco industry has introduced to the market.

Federal Grades Overview

The 2025 “State of Tobacco Control” report grades the federal government in five areas:

• Federal Government Regulation of Tobacco Products – Grade C
• Federal Coverage of Quit Smoking Treatments – Grade D
• Level of Federal Tobacco Taxes – Grade F
• Federal Mass Media Campaigns to Prevent and Reduce Tobacco Use – Grade: A
• Federal Minimum Age of Sale for Tobacco Products to 21 – Grade: A

To learn more about this year’s “State of Tobacco Control” grades and sign the petition, visit Lung.org/sotc.

Get involved and help the mission of the American Lung Association. The Fight For Air Climb Des Moines is coming up on Sunday March 30. Learn more at FightForAirClimb.org/DesMoines.

State grades in “State of Tobacco Control” reflect actions taken by elected officials and do not reflect on the hard work of state tobacco control programs or advocates.

Media Resources:

• B-Roll is available here:
  • Tobacco Products: Broll TobaccoProducts. American Lung Association.mp4 | Powered by Box
  • E-Cigarettes: Broll Ecigarettes. American Lung Association.mp4 | Powered by Box
• American Lung Association logos are available here: Media | American Lung Association