Press Release Archive
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Governor Culver Signs $1 Per Pack Cigarette Tax Increase Into Law
(Des Moines) – Today, in the Rotunda of the State Capitol joined by Iowa Legislators and health advocates, Governor Chet Culver signed legislation increasing the cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack.
The new cigarette tax takes effect
upon enactment. Cigarette inventory already on the shelves will increase tomorrow as a result of the
mandatory minimum price requirement. The price of other tobacco products will increase as they are
replaced at the retail level.
Governor Culver said, “With the signing of this bill, we are sending a bold message throughout the state and around the nation that Iowa takes the health care of its people, especially its kids, seriously.”
Mackenzie Lowry, an 18-year-old from Clear Lake, and her mother Jacqueline Lowry, both agree that the
tax should be increased. They came to witness the signing of this historic piece of legislation. “My dad
died of lung cancer when I was 14. He went to the hospital on the night of the homecoming dance my freshman
year. He died less than a month later. This law is intensely personal to me. I’m so proud of Governor Culver
for staying with this issue and making it a priority in his administration.” Mackenzie Lowry is an intern
with the American Cancer Society, and has worked as a volunteer for the past three years.
Mackenzie graduated from Clear Lake High School in 2006 and also received her Associates degree with honors
from North Iowa Area Community College before her high school graduation.
Governor Culver praised advocacy groups and lawmakers for pushing the bill through. “I want to thank those who made this day possible - the 92 legislators from both sides of the aisle who voted in favor of this legislation. You have proven that this issue cuts deeper than party affiliation.
“We will now be in a position to prevent the deaths of nearly 20,000 Iowans, help 20,000 people quit smoking and help prevent nearly 40,000 younger Iowans from taking that first puff that could lead to a lifetime of addiction and health problems. And we will now be able to expand health care coverage for Iowa’s children and take the first steps toward making Iowa the first state in the nation with total coverage for Iowa’s children.”