Iowa - smoking ban has resulted in fewer people smoking..

July 1, 2009 - The increase in sales tax to $1.36 a pack started mid-March of 2007. In 2006, Iowa businesses sold 5 billion cigarettes. In 2007, that number had dropped to 3.8 billion. For the 12 months from March 2007 to March 2008, the number was 3.02 billion. Supporters of Iowa's indoor smoking ban are crediting the year-old law for decreasing the number of Iowans who smoke.

At a news conference Wednesday, July 1st they pointed to a survey from the Iowa Department of Public Health that indicates 14 percent of state residents smoke. That's down from 19 percent two years ago and 41 percent in the 1960s.

Despite complaints from some business owners about the law, which bans smoking in bars, restaurants and most work places, Rep. Janet Petersen says the Legislature shouldn't change the law. The Des Moines Democrat called for waiting another year or two before considering any changes.

Reference: Backers Of Smoking Ban Say Fewer Iowans Light Up, IoaAP News, 7/1/2009.

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