Letter: Join advocacy day to raise tobacco prices

From: Stephanie Womack, Reach Healthy Communities tobacco program coordinator

Columbus

On Thursday, I will proudly represent Reach Healthy Communities at the State Capitol as part of Hoosiers For A Healthier Indiana’s (HHI) advocacy day.

HHI is a coalition dedicated to decreasing the number of Hoosiers who smoke by advocating for a $1 increase in the price of tobacco products. Raising the prices of tobacco products by $1 will save approximately 32,500 Hoosier lives and generate $2.08 billion in long-term health care savings.

Indiana has some of the lowest tobacco prices in the Midwest, which is one reason our adult smoking rate is the 10th worst in the country. We can do better.

Our legislators have the opportunity to increase tobacco prices and save lives. I encourage others to join me at the Statehouse on Thursday and let our elected officials know how important raising the price of tobacco products is for the state of Indiana. Register in advance via the HHI Facebook page or simply show up that morning. We need your support.