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(Iowa) -- Public health organizations across the state have launched a new initiative aimed at reducing tobacco-related health problems in Iowa.
The Iowa Health Initiative is calling on the Iowa Legislature to raise the state's cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack to $2.86 with relative tax increases on all other tobacco products. The organization says such an increase would generate $78.39 million in new state revenue. Earlier this month, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds proposed legislation to raise the state's cigarette tax by 65 cents to $2.01 per pack.
Dr. Amy Kimball, pediatrician with Health Trust Physicians Clinic in Winterset, says social media has created new opportunities for tobacco products to be advertised, especially to younger Iowans:
"So much of the advertising is targeted, especially with our young people. If you hold an Instagram or other social media platform as a young person, you're going to see targeted ads show up in your feed."
More information is available on the Iowa Health Initiative website.