Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has proposed changes to the state’s tobacco tax structure that would raise cigarette taxes to the national average and introduce a new tax on e-cigarettes and certain hemp-derived products. The proposal is positioned as part of a broader effort to address Iowa’s relatively high burden of lung cancer.

Key Takeaways

• Iowa’s governor has proposed higher taxes on tobacco-related products.
• The state cigarette tax would increase to the national average of $2.01 per pack.
• E-cigarettes and edible industrial hemp products would be subject to a new 15% tax.
• The proposal cites research linking tobacco use to lung cancer as a key policy rationale.
• Preliminary data suggest Iowa has a higher share of late-stage lung cancer cases than neighboring states.

Governor’s Rationale: Lung Cancer as a Policy Priority

According to Radio Iowa, Governor Reynolds said national statistics show that a significant share of lung cancer cases are related to tobacco use. As a result, she argued that tobacco control measures cannot be excluded when evaluating policy interventions.

Reynolds made the remarks while hosting researchers from the University of Iowa to present preliminary findings. She emphasized that the initiative is intended to have a long-term impact and stated that “fighting cancer requires action.”

Proposed Tax Changes

Under the governor’s proposal:

• The state excise tax on a standard pack of 20 cigarettes would rise to $2.01 per pack, aligning Iowa with the current national average.
• A 15% tax would be applied to e-cigarette products and edible industrial hemp products.

Research Findings: Iowa’s Lung Cancer Burden

Researchers involved in the preliminary analysis reported that Iowa has a higher proportion of late-stage lung cancer cases compared with other states.

Mary Charlton, Director of the Iowa Cancer Registry, said that Iowa’s overall cancer incidence rate is slightly higher than that of neighboring states, with lung cancer standing out as a particularly significant contributor. She noted that the gap is widening and is also reflected in Iowa’s higher lung cancer mortality rate relative to nearby states.