Recently, the House of Representatives took a stand for Iowans’ health and introduced a bill to increase the state cigarette tax by $1.50. I’d like to thank our local lawmakers who co-sponsored this measure, including Reps. Rob Bacon, Beth Wessel-Kroeschell and Lisa Heddens. Tobacco use is still the number-one cause of preventable death in our country. In Iowa, more than 5,000 people will lose their lives to premature, tobacco-related death this year alone. Those are real lives – family members, friends, neighbors and loved ones. But a $1.50 cigarette tax increase would turn that around, generating new revenue, decreasing state spending and, most importantly, saving lives. It’s estimated this tax increase would prevent 8,800 early deaths. To me, that’s enough reason to increase tobacco prices. I’m calling on all lawmakers to support the newly introduced $1.50 cigarette tax increase. It’s time to give Iowans a break from the burden of tobacco.
Andrew Yadlosky, Ames
Originally Published at https://www.amestrib.com/opinion/20190226/letter-step-toward-healthier-iowa on February 26, 2019 written by ACS CAN volunteer Andrew Yadlosky