(Radio Iowa) – Democrat Rob Sand says if he’s elected governor, he’d consider approving an increase in the state tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products. Sand met with eight members of the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network yesterday (Tuesday). The group supports increasing the state cigarette tax by a dollar-50 ($1.50) per pack. Sand says he’s not sure what amount is the right amount.
This past February Republican Governor Kim Reynolds recommended raising state taxes on tobacco products — including hiking the cigarette tax by 65 cents a pack, but the proposal stalled in the legislature. Sand says there is bipartisan support for some sort of tobacco tax hike.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Iowa and people who smoke are up to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer. The Iowa Smokefree Air Act took effect in mid-2008 and Sand says while he’d hear from those who support the exemption that still allows smoking on the gaming floors at Iowa casinos, he’s inclined to support making the casinos smoke-free.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network has scheduled a roundtable discussion in August with Zach Lahn, the Republican who’s running for governor.
