The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer Sarah Elsbernd of Ossian:
"It's time to celebrate! As of July 1st it has been 10 years since Iowa implemented our Smokefree Air Act, reducing exposure to secondhand smoke and improving the quality of life in our state.
Ten years later, you may have stopped noticing our new way of life, but just travel to a state that doesn't have a comprehensive smoke-free law and you're reminded of how far we've come. If the ash trays on the table don't take you back, the lingering smell and health effects of secondhand smoke will.
Research shows smoke-free laws like ours reduce the risk of lung cancer, cut down hospitalizations due to heart attacks and asthma attacks, encourage people who smoke to quit and keep kids from starting in the first place. I wouldn't feel comfortable going to restaurants, bowling alleys, etc. with my young family for fear of secondhand smoke had those laws not gone into place.
How should we celebrate this milestone? Let's take the next step to improve our health and protect our kids by raising the tax on tobacco products. As an American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network volunteer, I'm advocating for an increase of $1.50 per pack of cigarettes, with a similar increase on other tobacco products. This would prevent nearly 16,000 children from becoming addicted adults and successfully encourage more than 20,000 adults to quit
I'm hopeful Senator Breitbach and Representative Bergan will support this change like I do. Please share your support for increasing Iowa's tobacco tax and make your voice heard. We've accomplished so much in the last 10 years, let's keep the momentum going."