Promoting cessation among young people and adults. Eliminating nonsmokers exposure to tobacco smoke. Tobacco use is perhaps the most devastating, yet preventable, cause of disease and premature death today. Fourteen Iowans die each day from tobacco-related diseases. Approximately 12,000 Iowa children become regular smokers each year.
Tobacco is the gateway drug for most Iowa teens.
Once they start smoking, they are more susceptible to other drug usage. It makes sense, therefore, to use this settlement money to undo years of tobacco company advertising, and to convince young people not to smoke or use other drugs. Funds will also be available to expand substance abuse treatment programs across Iowa. Some of the tobacco money can be used to make it possible for an additional 6,000 children from working families without insurance to join HAWK-I, the state's health insurance program for children. Healthy children make better students, and the HAWK-I program provides preventative medical care for these children, so that they remain healthy and can succeed in school.