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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
February 2006 |
Welcome
Faith, health advocates receive set back in cigarette tax
|
Please join me and other Hoosier United Methodists in helping make Indiana tobacco free. |
The Hoosier Faith and Health Coalition, along with other health advocacy groups such as the American Heart Association, received a set back this past month when the Indiana House of Representatives Public Health Committee rejected a cigarette tax increase on a 6-2 vote.
Faith and health advocates, including a dozen United Methodists who serve with me on the coalition's steering committee, supported Governor Mitch Daniels' proposal for a cigarette tax increase to help curb teen smoking across Indiana. The governor requested a 25 cent tax increase per pack of cigarettes.
The interfaith and health advocates asked the Public Health Committee for a 50 cent tax increase saying it would be more of a deterrent to teen and young adult smoking than the 25 cent increase. The issue is about public health - not politics.
Studies show that every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes reduces youth smoking by seven percent and overall cigarette consumption by roughly four percent.
Research shows that Indiana can expect a 50-cent per pack cigarette tax increase to: Prevent 16,700 kids from becoming smokers, help 25,500 current adult smokers to quit, save more than $12 million from Heart/Stroke healthcare costs and $11.6 million in Pregnancy/Birth Healthcare costs over five years.
Many lawmakers on the committee complained that the idea came with no details on how the additional $150 million a year raised from the quarter increase would be spent. Many health advocates asked that a portion of the funds be used to fully fund the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation (ITPC) agency of state government.
 Visit www.WhiteLies.tv to find out more. |
A 50-cent increase in Indiana's cigarette tax would
have the potential for 16,700 fewer future youth smokers. Source: Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) "Indiana Cigarette Excise Tax Increases Estimated New Revenues, Cost Savings, and Other Benefits & Effects" |
However, I believe what really doomed the increase in cigarette tax increase this time around was the fact that lawmakers were asked to vote for a tax increase in an election year. They didn't want to raise taxes period, even though such a tax raise would have discouraged thousands of Hoosier teens from smoking. All of the House and half of the Senate are up for re-election this fall. We'll be back next year.
In addition to wanting an increase in the cigarette tax, Hoosier Faith and Health Coalition members also are seeking full funding of ITPC and the approval of smoke-free workplace ordinances by local and county governments. HFHC encourages pastors, lay leaders and congregations to sign the Hoosier Faith and Health Coalition's 2006 Resolution. It is available by logging on to www.inareaumc.org and clicking on "Join the Indiana Anti-Smoking Campaign."
HFHC and ITPC will host "Visioning a Tobacco-Free Community," a complimentary luncheon for faith leaders, on Thursday, March 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis to provide information on smoke-free workplace ordinances, smoke-free Sabbath programs and smoking cessation programs. Space is limited to 100 faith leaders. The luncheon is part of a state-wide training event for ITPC workers. For information and reservations, call 317-472-1055.
Please join me and other Hoosier United Methodists in helping make Indiana tobacco free.
- Daniel R. Gangler
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008