DES MOINES, Iowa, –March 17, 2026– Today, the Iowa Health Initiative (IHI), released data from a new poll that shows strong support among Iowa registered voters for increasing tobacco taxes by $1.50 per pack with a similar tax on other nicotine products.

Support for raising Iowa’s tobacco taxes by $1.50 per pack was found across the political spectrum with 77% of Democratic voters and majorities of Republicans (63%) and Independents (60%) supporting the increase.

“A few weeks ago, I stood alongside representatives from our state’s leading health organizations to introduce our bill to raise Iowa’s cigarette tax by $1.50 per pack, as well as other nicotine taxes, to help reduce death from cancer in our state,” said Rep. Brett Barker. “Today, I’m proud to stand with the overwhelming majority of Iowans who want our state to take strong action to reverse rising cases of cancer affecting our families.”

The poll also found two-thirds of registered voters (66%) in Iowa say they would support a $1.50 increase in the state cigarette tax and a similar increase on other tobacco products, where part of the revenue will be dedicated to a program to reduce tobacco use, particularly among kids.

“Currently, the state spends more on tobacco-related expenses than we collect in tobacco taxes. So not only is raising the tax important to reduce cancer and protect kids from ever starting the habit, but this increase is also a taxpayer protection measure. Right now, for every $1.36 we collect, our taxpayers spend $11.04 on related costs. This is not a sustainable scenario. Increasing the tobacco tax not only brings in more revenue but decreases these costs as people quit or never even start,” said Rep. Barker.

One-third of cancer deaths are caused by smoking. Increasing prices is the most effective way to reduce tobacco use, but especially for price-sensitive kids. It is also one of the best ways to prevent initiation.

Iowa remains second in the U.S. in new cancer cases, and it is still one of only a few states with rising cancer rates. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the nation and in Iowa.

Last week’s Cancer in Iowa Report from the Iowa Cancer Registry showed 21,700 new, invasive cancers will be diagnosed among Iowans in 2026 and 6,400 Iowans will die from the disease.

“As health professionals and lawmakers, we have an obligation to address the cancer crisis in our state. Effective policy solutions and popular policy solutions can be at odds, but in the case of the tobacco tax – we have a win, win,” said Rep. Austin Baeth. “It’s refreshing to share this podium with my colleague from across the aisle and reinforce this message that a tobacco tax is not just universally and overwhelmingly supported by voters but will help us protect public health and reduce tobacco-use related health care costs paid by state taxpayers.”

Iowa has significantly higher instances of lung cancer and mortality rates when compared to both the national rate and other Midwest states. The state has not increased the cigarette tax since 2007 – nearly 20 years.

“In Iowa, 80% of lung cancer cases are caused by tobacco use.  A significant increase in the tobacco tax is necessary if we are going to impact behavior change – if the tax is too low, the tobacco industry will use coupons and discounts to undermine the tax increase,” said Dr. Richard Deming.

When asked about tax increases, tobacco and nicotine was the only tax that the majority (66%) of respondents supported increasing. Only a minority of Iowans favor increases in taxes on gas (17%), sales (17%) or utilities (5%).

“At a time of economic uncertainty, voter skepticism and partisan polarization, two-thirds of Iowa voters still support raising tobacco and nicotine taxes, and that support cuts across party lines,” said Brian Osborne, Executive Vice President, the Strategy Group Company.

The poll of 615 registered Iowa voters was conducted on behalf of IHI by The Strategy Group Company February 25- March 2, 2026, and has a margin of error of + 4.6 percentage points.

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American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
Clean Air for Everyone Iowa