The Government of the Student Body voted to endorse raising the cigarette tax in Iowa at its meeting Wednesday night.

After nearly an hour of debate, GSB voted 25-5 for a resolution in support of raising the price of a pack of cigarettes by $1. An amendment to the resolution to encourage at least part of the money raised by the tax to be spent on smoking-treatment programs and Medicare was also passed 22-9.

Endorsement of the bill by GSB will not have any direct effects other than to indicate ISU students are behind the Iowa Board of Regents on the issue. Students at the University of Northern Iowa have already endorsed the tax.

“It’s the right thing for all Iowans, not just because of health, but also economically,” said Joe Murphy, Northern Iowa Student Government president.

GSB President Angela Groh said health played a significant role in the decision to pass the resolution in favor of the cigarette tax. Several members, including graduate senator Greg Shepherd, said they feel strongly that the tax should be raised.

“We’re not passing this only on financial reasons,” Groh said, adding that the tax would also deter smokers.

LAS senator Brandon Gray said he agreed, and said smoking is not an “incurable addiction.”

Groh said smoking poses many health risks, many of which are covered by Medicare. Groh also said an average cigarette takes seven minutes to smoke.

“Papers not written, books not read, amazing things not finished by Iowa State students,” she said of the time spent smoking.

Judie Hoffman, member of the Story County Tobacco Task Force, also spoke at the meeting in support of an increased cigarette tax. She said 39 states – and Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. – have raised their cigarette taxes in the past three years. Hoffman said Iowa has not raised its tax in 15 years.

“If the tax goes up, young people don’t start smoking, and older people stop smoking,” he said.

Support for the cigarette tax was not unanimous at the meeting. Graduate Senator Jonathan Mullin said studies that showed smoking decreased in states that raised their cigarette tax did not take into account the effects of other anti-smoking measures like anti-smoking billboards, which could have also had an impact.

GSB also discussed a resolution on Intelligent Design, but discussion and any resolution took place after press deadline.