Twenty-three percent of Hoosiers light up a cigarette regularly. That’s nearly one in four of your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers … and it far exceeds the national average of 18 percent.
Disturbing as that statistic is, it’s easy to understand how smoking persists here, even with a statewide ban on smoking in nearly all public places. Hoosiers don’t exactly put their well-being first — Indiana routinely comes in near the bottom of nationwide health rankings. And, with the 32nd highest tax rate on cigarettes in the U.S., it’s far cheaper to light up here than about anywhere else, especially neighboring Illinois and Michigan.
Smoking is big business. The state tobacco tax raised $439 million last year.
State lawmakers think it could bring in a lot more and help solve some of the state’s infrastructure problems. All they have to do is raise one little tax.
House Republicans are eyeing a bill that would raise the tobacco tax by $1, bringing it to about $2. That’s more in line with what Michigan ($2) and Illinois ($1.98) charge.
The current tax difference brings thousands of people across the border to buy cartons in Indiana each year. If the tax goes up to the 17th highest in the country, that business will likely dry up, with people, including Hoosiers, flocking to Kentucky, where the tax is just 60 cents a pack.
Lawmakers are OK with that, saying the additional tax will pile $300 million on top of the current take.
They intend to put the cash influx into roads, bridges and other projects throughout the state.
That makes sense. Our infrastructure is crumbling and in need of repairs and replacements. The money must come from somewhere.
The tax has the added bonus of possibly influencing more smokers to quit and teens to not even start. That will save lives.
Better roads. Safer bridges. More Hoosiers breathing easy. All at the cost of just $1 more a pack.
Sounds like a good trade-off.