FORUM QUESTIONS

Tobacco Tax Questions

Q1. Raising the tobacco tax by $1.00 will keep 13,000 youth in our state from ever becoming addicted to tobacco. Will you commit to voting for a $1.00 increase in the tobacco tax?

Q2. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that smoking-caused health costs and productivity losses total $8.04 per pack of cigarettes sold. Will you commit to voting for a $1.00 increase in the tobacco tax?

Q3. Iowa spends $301 million dollars on Medicaid for smoking related diseases each year. Will you vote to increase the tobacco tax on cigarettes by $1.00 to help reduce the burden of tobacco on those disproportionately affected by tobacco-related disease?

Local Control Questions

Q1. Protecting the health of Iowans and saving lives should be a top priority for any legislator. There are many individuals and organizations in our community who work endlessly to reduce the death and disease caused by tobacco including educating people about the dangers of secondhand smoke. Will you vote for legislation that restores local control to cities to regulate smoking in public places so they can protect the health of the people in their communities?

Q2. Did you know that 53,000 people die each year from diseases related to secondhand smoke, and 500 of them are Iowans? Secondhand smoke is the 3rd leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. and the general public is increasingly becoming aware of the adverse effects of secondhand smoke. Will you vote for legislation that restores local control to cities and counties to protect the health of their constituents?