Indianas Cigarette Tax

Indiana Lawmakers

The debate over efforts to boost the state's tax on cigarettes is filled with statistics on both sides. Actually, there are more than two sides in this debate, but we'll get to that in our show this week. Two of the most pertinent stats are these: Indiana, according to the CDC has the fourth highest smoking rate in the country. On the other hand, the state's current cigarette tax ranks 39th nationwide. On the next edition of Indiana Lawmakers, we'll explore whether changing the latter can alter the former and if so, by how much. Joining host Jon Schwantes to talk about the push to increase Indiana's cigarette tax will be Republican Representative Julie Olthoff of Crown Point; Republican Representative Ann Vermillion of Marion; Mike Ripley, Vice President of Healthcare Policy and Employment Law at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce; and Bryan Hannon, Indiana Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society.