Raising Indiana’s cigarette tax to save lives, protect youth and strengthen our workforce Kent Mitchell, Director of Outreach and Engagement KMitchell@tobaccofreekids.org A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Before we begin, let’s watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gxxvagt8Kg&t=61s A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Indiana is part of “Tobacco Nation”* • 1 in 5 Hoosiers – over 1 million – smoke • We are 44 th among states for our smoking rate • 11,100 deaths each year • 3,100 young people become daily smokers each year * According to the Truth Initiative, Tobacco Nation states have rates of smoking and poor health similar to developing countries. A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Tobacco use hurts our economy • $5.4 billion/year in health care costs and lost productivity • $2.2 billion/year from second-hand smoke • $6,200/year extra per smoking employee • $540 million/year in Medicaid costs A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Our state health rankings are poor A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Smoking Smoking is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage, low birthweight, premature birth, some birth defects, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 13.5% of expectant Hoosier mothers smoke while pregnant. The rate of smoking while pregnant in Indiana (13.5%) is significantly higher than the national rate (8%). Source: Indiana State Department of Health
Raise It for Health has 3 clear goals 1 3 2 SAVE lives and DEDICATE REDUCE improve health the $360 M in health care costs by raising the yearly revenue for businesses price of toward public and government. cigarettes by $2 health. per pack. A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Cigarette taxes: the #1 way to reduce smoking A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Youth especially benefit A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Our position: raise the tax by $2 per pack of cigarettes in Indiana Our current rate: just under $1 Our new rate: would be $3 70,000 adults would quit 60,000 youth would never start $2 billion in health care savings A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
New revenue could address urgent health crises across our state Fund Indiana’s fight against addiction Produce $360 Reduce infant million in new mortality rates revenue Help more Hoosiers access care A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Over 200 leading health, business and youth organizations support the tax A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Hoosiers support raising the tax A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
We’ve seen support all year long 7,500 postcards of support! 17 town halls with over 2,500 participants! Over a dozen Mayoral proclamations! A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Who opposes this? • Big Tobacco! • Convenience stores • Some big box retailers and pharmacies The stakes are high – your voice is needed! A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Opportunities to engage 1. Sign-up at www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com 2. Join your local tobacco coalition Rally at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 19 th at the 3. Statehouse, sign up here 4. Participate in a call-in day AND email your lawmaker 5. Attend a Third House (in-district) event A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
Questions? A tax that saves lives. www.RaiseItforHealthIN.com
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