Legislatures should restore funding for tobacco prevention service

By Ro Foege and Walt Tomenga

-----

As former legislators, we realize how stressful and hectic the closing weeks of the legislative session can be. The rush to adjourn, however, should never blur the overall direction we as Iowans want our state to take.

At risk as this session goes into overtime are the major advancements we've made over the past 10 years in reducing smoking and tobacco use. At risk is the vision of a state attractive to business, with the healthiest employees in the nation and a leader in controlling health care costs.

A little over 10 years ago, the state started services to educate Iowa's teens on the threats of tobacco use, and to help those addicted to tobacco to quit smoking. We've seen a dramatic decline in smoking rates, from 23 percent to 14 percent among adults and from 33 percent to 20 percent among high school students.

These services operate with Iowans' great support. A recent Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance survey found that 85 percent of voters feel it is a proper role of state government to encourage children and teenagers not to start smoking and that 68 percent indicated it is also an appropriate function to help Iowans stop smoking.

Tobacco-related diseases cost Iowans more than $1 billion a year, and $301 million of that is covered by Medicaid. Reducing smoking rates and the diseases related to tobacco use saves the state money in Medicaid as well as private employers who insures their workers.

The federal Centers for Disease Control recommends Iowa should spend $36.7 million annually on tobacco prevention and cessation efforts. Four years ago, Iowa spent $12 million on its combined campaign, and just $7.8 million was budgeted for the last fiscal year. To have achieved the dramatic gains we have seen over the last 10 years with this modest investment is a testament to true Iowa frugality.

But all of these gains are in serious jeopardy. The House recently voted to cut all funding for tobacco prevention and cessation services - a marked departure from the recommendations of both Gov. Terry Branstad and the Iowa Senate. The House position also is at odds with the desires of a majority of Iowans, who see the value and benefit from these services.

Both parties should work to restore funding for Iowa's tobacco prevention and cessation services to at least the most recent level, $7.8 million.

Ro Foege of Mount Vernon and Walt Tomenga of Rippey are former state legislators. Comments: rofoege@mac.com or wjtomenga@msn.com