CIGARETTE TAX MOTIVATING SMOKERS TO QUIT, BUT GREATER ACCESS TO SMOKING CESSATION IS NECESSARY

DES MOINES – The cigarette tax increase that passed earlier this year has served as a motivational factor for more than 50 percent of smokers who quit this year, according to a poll released today by Iowans for Wellness & Prevention (IWP), the American Lung Association of Iowa (ALA), and the American Heart Association (AHA). However, 62 percent of smokers who say they are likely to quit in the next year say that coverage of FDA-approved treatments would make it easier to quit. The poll evaluated the effectiveness of the Iowa cigarette tax and attitudes of current smokers.

"This poll illustrates three key points: the cigarette tax is working, a majority of smokers want to quit, and improved access to FDA-approved cessation treatments for those covered by private insurance is an important aspect," said Sandra Quilty, IWP co-chair. "We now have a better idea of what helps smokers quit, and we must look for ways to get them the help they need."

The cigarette tax increase has motivated many smokers to quit. In fact, 41 percent of current smokers say the tax makes them more likely to try to quit. As the effort to decrease the number of Iowans who smoke continues, much can be learned from the insights gained through this poll. A majority of smokers who identify themselves as likely to try to quit in the next year say health insurance coverage of smoking cessation would make it easier to quit smoking, and one out of three employed smokers say they would be more likely to quit if their employer created a smoke-free policy.

The poll found that 65 percent of smokers are currently trying to quit or are likely to try to quit in the next year. Of the smokers likely to try to quit in the next year, 66 percent are covered by private insurance and 11 percent are covered by Medicaid.

"It is promising that the tax increase is working and so many smokers are trying or planning to try to quit," continued Quilty. "Fortunately, Medicaid in Iowa currently covers smoking cessation treatments, but many employers are still not providing smoking cessation counseling and access to FDA approved smoking cessation products as part of their standard health plan."

"Through my experience in helping people quit, I know that it requires a variety of assistance, including counseling, support groups, FDA-approved treatments, smoke-free workplaces, and help from family and friends," said Dan Ramsey, Director of Programs and Advocacy for ALA of Iowa. "I hope employers will provide their employees with comprehensive benefits and that the Culver Administration considers providing smoking cessation benefits for all state employees."

The poll also found that 76 percent of current smokers tried to quit at some point, with 58 percent of current smokers having tried to quit multiple times. Of the smokers who have successfully quit in 2007, 57 percent of them had previously attempted quitting multiple times. According to the CDC, nicotine addiction from smoking is a chronic medical condition, that may require multiple interventions from medical professionals. Some employers cover the initial treatment, but do not have health plans that assist smokers who may relapse. A significant majority (71 percent) of smokers and recent quitters believe that health insurance companies should cover FDA-approved smoking cessation treatments as a standard health insurance benefit.

"Obviously it is difficult to overcome nicotine addiction. We believe that getting more people to quit can be accomplished through a combination of higher cigarette taxes, smoke-free workplaces, and access to cessation treatments," said Randy Yontz of AHA. "This polling information supports that, and the fact that smoking is the leading underlying cause of death in the United States shows why this is so important."

An executive summary of the poll is included with this release. Click here to download the summary (PDF).

TECHNICAL NOTE: This release highlight results from a telephone poll of a randomly selected sample of 504 current smokers and smokers who quit in 2007 in the state of Iowa. Interviewing was conducted October 16th – 28th, 2007. The sample was selected in a manner to ensure that every household in the state of Iowa with a working telephone was equally likely to be included. Special care was taken to ensure that the geographic and demographic divisions of the actual smoking population are properly represented in the sample. The estimation error associated with a sample of 504 is 4.4 percent at the 95% confidence interval. This means that in 95 of 100 cases, the results of this poll are within 4.4 points, plus or minus, of the results that would have been obtained if all smokers and those who quit in 2007 voters in the state of Iowa had been interviewed.