Dear Editor:
Smoking-related health costs and productivity losses in the U.S. amount to roughly $19.16 for every pack of cigarettes sold – much higher than the average sale price of each pack. Research shows that regular and significant increases to tobacco prices reduce tobacco use. A higher tax could be a win-win for Indiana – saving lives while generating revenue.
But Indiana is falling behind when it comes to increasing lifesaving and revenue-building taxes on this deadly product, according to American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s annual “How Do You Measure Up?” report. Despite multiple opportunities, including this past legislative session, the General Assembly hasn’t increased the state’s tobacco tax in more than 10 years.
Nearly one-third of cancer deaths in Indiana can be attributed to smoking, and approximately 151,000 Hoosier kids alive today will ultimately die prematurely from tobacco use. We can all agree that’s unacceptable.
Hoosiers must call on their lawmakers to stand up to Big Tobacco and reduce suffering and death from the diseases their products cause, like cancer. Cancer prevention cannot be delayed.
William Russo
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Volunteer (ACS CAN)
Noblesville