DES MOINES - A state senator on Wednesday took aim at a series of anti-smoking billboards that he said could hurt his hometown's tourism industry.

Sen. Steve Kettering, R-Lake View, sent a letter to Iowa Department of Public Health Director Thomas Newton that claimed a series of billboards paid for by the Just Eliminate Lies campaign employs shock tactics to convince people not to smoke.

The letter says such a billboard near Lake View may have a negative impact on tourism in the town.

"While JEL [Just Eliminate Lies] is attempting to push a message through the use of shock value that tobacco kills, I am concerned the only shock that will come of this is a decrease in our tourist economy," the letter reads.

The billboard near Lake View displays a message that reads, "Tobacco can kill this town in 1 day." It's part of a marketing campaign from the Just Eliminate Lies organization called "WhatTownIsNext."

Just Eliminate Lies is a youth organization dedicated to cutting down on smoking among young people.

Newton defended the anti-smoking organization and the billboard campaign in a statement, claiming that the billboards draw attention to the harmful effects of smoking.

"Evidence shows that counter-marketing campaigns, such as WhatTownIsNext, have a significant impact on reducing youth smoking," Newton said in the statement.

The Iowa Department of Public Health oversees the organization and has final approval of all campaign messages.

The program is partially funded through the state's cigarette excise tax.

Public health officials couldn't say how much the billboards cost at press time.

Kettering's letter said keeping kids from smoking is a worthwhile cause, but he questions the means by which the organization is pushing its message.

Kettering was selected by the Senate Republican caucus as the minority whip during a meeting on Tuesday.

Fred Love can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or fred.love@lee.net.