The American Lung Association is urging Iowa lawmakers to raise tobacco taxes, citing its State of Tobacco Control report, which gave the state failing grades for prevention efforts. Despite generating over $200 million in tobacco revenue last year, Iowa allocated just $4.2 million to reduction programs.
The ALA argues higher taxes reduce consumption and criticizes industry lobbying for blocking increases. It also calls for banning flavored tobacco, which it says fuels youth addiction, and expanding Smokefree Air policies to include casinos. The organization says it will keep pressing lawmakers to enact stronger tobacco control policies to reduce smoking-related health costs, which total $1.28 billion annually in Iowa.
