Hogg: “Keep It Going Walk” against cuts in Iowa’s efforts against tobacco

Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS – State Senator Rob Hogg is organizing a “Keep It Going Walk” to put pressure on Governor Branstad to build on his “Start Somewhere Walk” by reversing his cuts to anti-tobacco programs and by supporting other public health and safety initiatives.

The “Keep It Going Walk” will begin with a brief news conference at Greene Square Park, on the corner of 5th Street and 3rd Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids at noon on Monday, October 10.  Citizens who participate will walk a half-mile route across the Cedar River and back through downtown Cedar Rapids.  Hogg will be joined on the walk by State Representative Kirsten Running-Marquardt and Linn County Supervisor Linda Langston.

Hogg says the walk is a direct response to Governor Branstad’s October 7^th “Start Somewhere Walk” which launches a public-private initiative to make Iowa the healthiest state in the country by 2016.

“I support the Start Somewhere Walk,” Hogg said.  “But if we are really going to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation, it will require a lot of follow through both at a personal level and at a policy level.  Governor Branstad can ‘start somewhere’ by reversing his policies from 2011 and supporting the restoration of Iowa’s tobacco prevention and cessation programs.  We should discourage young Iowans from using tobacco, and help every Iowan who wants to quit.”

Under Governors Vilsack and Culver, Iowa’s anti-tobacco efforts had successfully reduced the adult smoking rate from 23% to 14%, and slashed the youth smoking rate from 33% to 20%.  Governor Branstad and House Republicans insisted that anti-tobacco programs be cut from $7.8 million to $2.9 million in the 2011 legislative session – a 62% cut that needs to be reversed if Iowa is going to be the healthiest state in the country by 2016.

“Restoring Iowa’s anti-tobacco efforts are really a matter of life and death,” Hogg said.  “Discouraging young people from smoking and helping adults quit smoking have been proven to be among the fastest and cheapest ways to improve health, save lives, and save money.”

Hogg is challenging Governor Branstad to extend his walk Friday across the street from the State Capitol to the Iowa Department of Public Health at 321 E. 12^th Street in Des Moines where he could announce that he is reversing his policy and supporting the restoration of Iowa’s successful effort against tobacco use and abuse.

“The governor is right to urge Iowans to ‘start somewhere’ to make our state healthier,” said Hogg.  “He can show so much needed leadership in this area by changing course and restoring Iowa’s successful efforts to save lives and dollars by discouraging tobacco use.”

Hogg is also encouraging Governor Branstad to support Senate File 184 (to promote young driver safety) and Senate File 486 (to require nicotine-free schools).  Both bills passed the Senate in 2011 with strong bipartisan support, but the House Republicans refused to take up either bill for debate in the House.