Doctors Ask for Cigarette Tax Hike

A new state cancer report shows promise for people who practice prevention and early detection.

The report reveals more than 15,000 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in Iowa this year, and 6,500 people will die from cancer.

Doctors say although they're finding more cancer cases, early detection is helping people survive the disease.

Holden Cancer Center Dr. George Weiner told TV9, "There are still people who hesitate to get these tests done. There are people who are embarrassed by getting these tests done. Yet it's very important to do."

In addition to those annual tests, doctors with the Iowa Cancer Consortium are going after tobacco.

They want a tax increase on cigarettes. They’re asking for an extra dollar per pack. It’s part of a bill that could come before lawmakers this year.

She says living in a rural part of Iowa, that cigarettes were pretty cheap. She doesn't think raising the price per pack will drive teenagers away.

Roshek told TV9, "Raising the price per pack won't stop anyone. If they want to smoke they're going to smoke. No one can tell anyone what to do on that issue at all."

Its owner says so many people are rallying against smoking that it would be difficult to oppose a tax increase.

Thomas Connolly told TV9, "It will probably affect out sales somewhat. But I think there's a hard core constituency that will pay more or less no matter what the price is."

Iowa Cancer Consortium Dr. George Weiner told TV9, "Smoking is a pediatric disease, almost every smoker started smoking when they were still in their teens. There's solid evidence increasing the price of cigarettes decreases tobacco use by teenagers."

The doctor says that's why the Iowa Cancer Consortium wants lawmakers to add an extra dollar per pack in taxes.

"From my point of view, the more the better. I think we have to start out at a reasonable level. But there's clear evidence from the CDC that shows every ten cent increase there's a decrease in the use of tobacco in teenagers."

The cigarette tax bill has yet to make it out of committee. It's not scheduled for a vote yet. It also raises taxes at a time when lawmakers are trying to avoid increases, so it could face quite a challenge.

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Roshek told TV9, "Raising the price per pack won't stop anyone. If they want to smoke they're going to smoke. No one can tell anyone what to do on that issue at all."
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That's for sure! Because cigarettes are the most addictive things on the face of the earth. Far, far beyond heroin, morphine, or any other known substance. Except for food and water.

You cannot do without water for very long. But between cigarettes and food, it is cigarettes, for a long, long time.

SMOKERS CAN'T QUIT! Because when they have to do without, they start to shake, twitch, "get the jones",,,

The VAST MAJORITY of smokers have "tried to quit" many, many times. In fact, quitting smoking is something that cigarette smokers talk about all the time.

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Thomas Connolly told TV9, "It will probably affect out sales somewhat. But I think there's a hard core constituency that will pay more or less no matter what the price is."
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YUP!!!

Because cigarettes are the most addictive things on the face of the earth. And I know all about it, I have quit hundreds of times myself.

Once I made it, for over seven years!

This time, I have made it three and a half years, and I am sure keeping my fingers crossed!

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Thomas Connolly told TV9, "It will probably affect out sales somewhat. But I think there's a hard core constituency that will pay more or less no matter what the price is."
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Right! Because they are the most addictive thing on the planet.

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