Indiana smokes itself to second place

Only West Virginia has more smokers than Indiana, says Forbes.com.

With 26 percent of Hoosier adults reported as smokers, Indiana has the second-highest smoking rate in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The American Lung Association gave Indiana a failing grade for tobacco prevention control and spending as well as for statewide smoke-free air laws.

However, Indiana received a D for the current cigarette tax rate of 99.5 cents and a C for cessation coverage, with the state Medicaid program and state employee health programs covering the seven recommended cessation medications.

Until Indiana implements a statewide smoke-free air law and increases the tax on cigarettes, it will be hard to address the problem, said Karla Sneegas, executive director of Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation.

The ten states with the lowest smoking rates all have statewide smoke-free air laws and tax more than $2.00 per pack for cigarettes, Sneegas said. The ten states with the highest smoking rates do not have smoke-free air laws or tax more than $2.00 for cigarettes.

“That’s a pretty clear indication of what a state needs to do to tackle the problem,” Sneegas said.

Although Indiana is not failing all of the ALA’s graded categories, the high rates are still a great concern, said Jessica Kelly, manager of the Advocacy Network for the American Lung Association of Indiana.

This year, a smoking ban bill that would ban smoking in public areas was introduced in the Indiana General Assembly.

According to Kelly, much of the opposition to the  bill came from alcohol, gaming, and tobacco businesses.

“There is a fear that during an economic recession, a state-wide smoking ban would hurt these businesses,” Kelly said. “But that really is not the case.”

A better-developed public health infrastructure would be needed as well to tackle issues such as high smoking rates, said John Graham, dean of IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

“To reduce smoking, you need a multi-faceted effort that captures family, the
community, schools, businesses and advertising,” Graham said. “You just can’t pass one bill like it’s a magic wand and then smoking goes away.”