About $135 million from cigarette tax were collected in Iowa

Published on April 1, 2008 6:39 AM

A year ago, governor Culver signed the decree on the increase of cigarette tax. This tax has brought about $135 Million during its first year.

In 2007 the taxes on cigs went up by $1 a pack, and in the course of one year this additional $1 has brought additional millions to the city budget. These millions were paid by smokers and went to smoking-cessation and health programs.

“Quitline Iowa”, Iowa's hot-line for quitting, has also registered the increase in number of smokers who wanted to stop smoking.

Everything seems to be going well, but senate Republican Leader Ron Wieck of Sioux City is upset by the fact that about 80 percent of the funds were used for smoking-cessation and health programs.

Of course, 80 percent from $135 Million collected from smokers aren’t enough, but authorities can face a bigger problem: who will bring additional millions of dollars annually to support smoking-cessation and health programs, if the number of smokers in Iowa decreases?

The problem is not in the amount, but in the hope that authorities won't increase the taxes again, as smokers are already paying additional money.