American Lung Association urges Iowa lawmakers to increase taxes on tobacco products

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - The American Lung Association has given Iowa several failing grades regarding tobacco safety and prevention. The annual report highlights the state’s efforts to control tobacco and its support of resources to help Iowans who are facing addiction.

Across the board, the association says there is more Iowa lawmakers can do to save lives. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Resources says tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of death for Iowans with more than 5,100 Iowans dying directly because of tobacco each year. The association’s grievances are illustrated in the following grades:

• Smokefree Air: B
• Access to Cessation Services: D
• Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Funding: F
• Tobacco Taxes: F
• Flavored Tobacco Products: F

Tobacco Taxes:

The group’s biggest suggestion is to increase taxes on tobacco products, the tax on cigarettes in Iowa hasn’t seen an increase in 18 years.

“There is a large body of evidence that shows that when prices increase for products like cigarettes and other tobacco products, that consumption is reduced,” Kristina Hamilton, the American Lung Association’s advocacy director for Iowa, said. “We would see a public health benefit from people not buying these products as often because they’re not as financially appealing.”

The report highlights efforts from tobacco companies to keep those taxes down on their products.

”We are seeing tobacco companies seek exemptions for their products from tobacco taxes,” Hamilton said. “We are seeing them trying to cut out their competition and claim that policies are benefiting public health when it’s really just to protect their profits.”

Cessation Services & Tobacco Prevention and Control Program Funding:

The group also gave Iowa an F for prevention program funding. In the 2025 fiscal year State Tobacco Revenue was more than $200 million, but Iowa only put $4.2 million toward prevention and control programs. The group also says a bill signed into law last year took away funding for tobacco prevention programs.

”That’s taking away funding and resources to these proven effective programs that educate and inform and help people overcome their addiction,” Kristina. “We are advocating for state legislators to increase funding for these programs.”

Flavored Tobacco Products:

The American Lung Association is also calling out tobacco companies, accusing them of targeting Iowa’s young people. Their report shares more than 16% of high school students use tobacco. They say that’s largely because of the popularity of flavored tobacco products, another area where Iowa gets a failing grade.

“We really need to end the sale of flavored tobacco products,” said. “They are proven to be attractive to young people.”

The report says there are currently no state laws or regulations on flavored tobacco products.

Smokefree Air

A silver lining from the report is Smokefree Air policies. Hamilton says Iowa has one of some of the stronger smoke free laws in the nation.

“I say Smokefree air and and the community partnerships that the state has to expand tobacco prevention statewide are sort of are the stronger sides of tobacco prevention in Iowa,” Hamilton said.

The group will continue to advocate for Smokefree policies in casinos.

Across Iowa the annual health care cost tied to tobacco is $1.28 billion. The full report can be viewed by clicking here.