More Iowans are lighting up. A new survey shows almost 23-and-a-half percent of Iowans are regular smokers. That rate, for 1998, is two-tenths of a percent higher than the year before. Dr. Stephen Gleason, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, says it’s time to boost programs which discourage smoking.Gleason says some states have created a “culture” where it’s not cool to smoke.The tobacco-companies will be paying the state 70-million dollars each year as part of a settlement — and Gleason would like to see a portion of that money used on smoking cessation and smoking prevention programs.Iowa still ranks in the middle-of-the-pack when compared to the smoking rates of other states.
