Samantha Miller - The Daily Iowan

Source from:  dailyiowan.com 11/6/07 11/07/2007

PrintEmail DoubleClick Any Word Page 1 of 1 The tobacco-tax increase is causing smokers to dump the habit, according to a poll released Monday. The tax, which was raised in March from 36 cents to $1.36 a pack, is a driving influence for more than 50 percent of Iowans who dropped the puffing habit this year, according to research compiled by the American Lung Association of Iowa, Iowans for Wellness and Prevention, and the American Heart Association. The poll also pointed to an overall strong desire by Iowans to quit smoking - 65 percent of smokers reported to either be trying or likely to try to quit. Sandra Quilty, Iowa Wellness and Prevention co-chairwoman, said the poll illustrates that the cigarette tax is working, and Iowan smokers want to quit. "We now have a better idea of what helps smokers quit, and we must look for ways to get them the help they need," she said in a statement. The poll also pointed to an longing by Iowans for methods to assist quitting. Research reported that 54 percent of smokers on the track to cease smoking thought that Food and Drug Administration-approved cessation-treatments covered by health-insurance plans would make it easier for them to quit. For UI sophomore Nick Koch, his decision to quit has been largely affected by a lighter wallet in recent weeks - a irritating reality not aided by the increased cost to the smoking sticks. "[The price] is making me f---ing quit," he said. As he became more concerned about his financial situation, he realized his smoking habit was burning up all his cash. "I actually tried to cut down on the price by going to cheaper brands," he said. "It was still too expensive." But the pinch in the pocket isn't the driving concern for all prospective quitters. UI senior Heston Roewe said he's trying to kick the habit - but for health, not money, motivations. "The whole cost of cigarettes thing doesn't bother me, as long as it's not completely outrageous," the smoker of about 18 months said. He added that he believes that the tax will only influence a small number of smokers to quit. Though Roewe admits that higher price of cigarettes hasn't cut his smoking habit, the concept behind such taxes irks him. "It is just stupid to tax more for something just because a few people think it's wrong," he said. Enditem