For smokers like Rick Large, the dramatic drop in Iowa cigarette sales hardly seems like news.  "Oh, no, it don't surprise me a bit," Large says, becoming animated as he gestures to a rack of Marlboros.  "Look at what you've got to pay for a pack!"   

     At this Davenport tobacco shop where Large shops, a pack of Marlboros is $5.57 after taxes.  One dollar of the total price per pack comes from Iowa's 2007 cigarette tax.  The state says that tax, plus the Smoke Free Air Act of 2008 are responsible for driving down sales 52% in the past 3 years.  The Department of Public Health is touting the news, saying lives are being saved.

     At the same time, the state admits money is being lost at time it can ill afford it.  Cigarette sales generated a projected $217 million for Iowa's general fund in 2009, but this year that amount's expected to drop $15 million.

"That's the government's fault why our revenue is down. Look at our deficit!"

     Large blames the 2008 smoking restrictions more than the 2007 tax increase for driving smokers away.  "That's the government's fault why our revenue is down. Look at our deficit!"

     Some with the Iowa Tobacco Use Prevention & Control Commission advocate raising the cigarette tax another dollar and believe that in a down economy lawmakers will eventually go along with the idea.  Large, a smoker for more than 40 years, says he won't support another tax increase, but it wouldn't stop him from smoking.  "I'm hooked," Large admits.  "Restrictions, tax increases, it don't matter."