INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Public health advocates say they haven’t given up on efforts to get Indiana lawmakers to increase the state’s cigarette tax.
Raise It for Health campaign chairwoman Monique French said Wednesday that it’s one of the biggest steps lawmakers can take to improve the state’s health.
But a proposal to increase the state’s 99-cent-per-pack tax by $1 has run into stiff opposition.
Gov. Eric Holcomb doesn’t support it. Senate Republican budget writer Luke Kenley didn’t include it, even though the House budget proposal does.
Indiana has one of the country’s highest smoking rates, and advocates say research shows hiking the tax would lead to a drop in smoking.
French says public opinion research shows broad support for a cigarette tax increase.
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The Indiana House Senate has already put this money in their budget. This has nothing to do with health! Pure greed…Why do our politicians think it is OK to keep taking our money? Because we sit back and watch and take no action. Why do we allow them the power to do it? Because we are stupid and they know it. The new taxes they are shoving down our throats to build roads, bridges and infrastructure is also bulls&*t. They won’t write the law to force themselves to even use this money on these projects. It will be squandered on “pet” projects as always. I hope that I see the 2nd Boston Tea Party in my lifetime. I would gladly participate.