Sioux City Journal

Ex-smokers: $1 tax hike contribued to quitting

3:45 PM

By Dan Gearino
Lee Newspapers | Posted: Monday, November 05, 2007

WEST DES MOINES n More than half of Iowans who stopped smoking this year say the recent increase in the cigarette tax was a factor in their decision, according to a survey released Monday by anti-smoking groups.

Among those who continue to smoke, 41 percent say the tax increase makes them more likely to quit and 16 percent say they are more likely to smoke fewer cigarettes.

"What we know is that it's working. The increase in the price point of cigarettes is reducing the number of smokers that we have," said Sandra Quilty, a lobbyist for the American Cancer Society.

A coalition of anti-smoking groups released the survey results at an anti-smoking conference in West Des Moines.

The coalition n which also includes the American Lung Association and the American Heart Association, among others n was a key player when Gov. Chet Culver signed a $1-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax in March. The tax is now $1.36 per pack.

Read the complete story in Tuesday's Sioux City Journal.

Story Comments

car wrote on Nov 5, 2007 10:27 PM:

" Pat, maybe the dollar should go toward a fund to pay for clean-up of all the butts thrown out of cars........ maybe the dollar should go to a fund that will take care of you later on in life, should you come down with a mostly PREVENTABLE disease related to smoking, like lung cancer. Smoking is one of the most selfish acts EVER ~ to others, to yourself, to those who love you. "

Pat T wrote on Nov 5, 2007 8:01 PM:

" Good point kris. I'd rather see a dollar going for our VETS instead to state Gov. There so worried about so-called second hand smoke. What about the Nuclear Generating plants which produce the needed electricty we all use? I'd rather deal with second hand smoke, than what they give off,or deal with burying tools, and other things associated with Nuclear waste. Least if your going to Tax me on cigarette,at least let us say where we'd like some of those taxes going to. Like Medications for our vets which our gov have forgotten,or other necessary Medical needs these vets need and cannot afford. "

Kris wrote on Nov 5, 2007 4:38 PM:

" WOW! now lets start raising the tax on alcohol so that all the drunks in the country stop drinking I think I missed something along the way - thought I lived in "free" country and that I would not be "Forced" to do or not do something that I wanted to TAXATION WITH WHAT REPRESENTATION "