Faith, health coalition seeks increase in state cigarette tax

INDIANAPOLIS - A statewide interfaith coalition, including United Methodists, advocating for smoke-free work places and smoke-free public environments seeks a 50-cent increase in the state's cigarette tax to discourage smokers from lighting up to decrease this health risk in thousands of lives.

The 20-member steering committee, of the Hoosier Faith and Health Coalition, hope to gain the signatures of more than 500 congregations, community groups, faith-based agencies and health care institutions on a petition asking the Indiana General Assembly to:

Fund the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation agency to at least the minimum level suggested by the Centers for Disease Control at $32 million;
Increase Indiana's tobacco tax at least 50-cents a pack, using the revenue to fund tobacco prevention and other critical health programs; and
Continue to help establish smoke-free communities that provide comprehensive protection from secondhand smoke in all workplaces and public places, including restaurants and bars.

The HFHC counted 400 signers in a similar resolution presented to the General Assembly in Feb. 2005 that included more than 70 United Methodist congregations.

Signers pledge to support a goal of encouraging legislators to take these three steps proven in other states to reduce tobacco usage.

One of HFHC's main goals for local governments is in encouraging the passage of bans on smoking in public places as a public health issue. Many communities, including Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Columbus, Greenfield, Carmel and Jeffersonville have already or will soon implement bans passed this year. Many bans still do not include private clubs, bowling alleys and bars.

The second action asked the General Assembly to impose a higher tax on cigarettes. In 2005, the Indiana State Senate approved a $0.19 increase on the tax, but the State House of Representatives defeated the measure. HFHC is committed to encouraging an increase and plans to talk with State Senators and Representatives one-on-one during a March 2 information day in the State Capitol.

Finally, HFHC hopes to ensure the availability of smoke-free communities that provide protection from secondhand smoke in all public places. It is the coalition's hope that several city and town councils will take steps to ban smoking in workplaces, such as the Westin hotel chain recently did.

For more information about HFHC and to obtain and sign HFHC's resolution, log on to www.hoosierfaithandhealth.org.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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