Those who back the new cigarette tax hike says it is already serving as an incentive for Iowans to quit smoking. Alex Foster, an 18-year-old freshman at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, says the tax has made him decide to quit.
Foster says the tax increase was one of the biggest reasons, as he’s paying for college and doesn’t have extra money. Foster says he’s trying to quit on his own. Foster says he’s "doing it cold turkey" to see where it goes. Foster says, so far, so good.
Foster says he hasn’t smoked a cigarette in a week and a half and is "doing okay." Foster estimates he’s been spending about 20 bucks a week on cigarettes. The state’s Quiteline Iowa service reports calls have increased dramatically in the last several days as Iowans look to quit smoking.