Legislature should invest more in tobacco prevention

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death for Iowans, taking the lives of more than 4,400 adults each year. The annual health care costs in Iowa directly related to tobacco use total $1 billion. For every person who dies from tobacco use, another 20 suffer with at least one serious tobacco-related illness. Half of all long-term smokers die prematurely from smoking-related causes.

This fiscal year, Iowa will spend $3.2 million in state funds on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, a mere 8.7 percent of the federal Centers for Disease Control's recommended level of $36.7 million. The Iowa Legislature has cut state funding for such programs for five consecutive years.

The American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control Report gave Iowa an F in tobacco prevention, a D on the cigarette tax and an F on cessation efforts.

The Legislature should invest $10 million in fiscal 2014 to prevent Iowa kids from using tobacco and help Iowans quit. Prevention saves money.

Elaine Boes

Ely