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Dear Editor:
I applaud Indiana’s health commissioner for making it easier for tobacco users to access smoking cessation products without a prescription. Tobacco use kills 11,000 people every year in our state, so I believe we must do everything we can to discourage smoking.
However, the single best prescription for reducing smoking rates in Indiana is a significant increase in the state cigarette tax, but that is a prescription that only lawmakers and Governor Holcomb can write.
So far, they have failed to treat the problem despite Indiana having one of the highest smoking rates in the country and one of the lowest tax rates in the region. Until our elected officials raise the cigarette tax, I am afraid tobacco use will remain the biggest threat to our state’s health.
Bill Russo
ACS CAN Volunteer
Noblesville