INDIANAPOLIS— Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Vanessa Green Sinders comments on the just-released conference committee report for House Bill 1001, the state’s two-year budget, which now includes a $2 per pack increase in the cigarette tax:
“With today’s announcement of an increase in the cigarette tax, the first in over 17 years, we are taking the necessary steps to create healthier Hoosiers and slow the growth of Medicaid while also generating additional revenue. We also applaud state leaders for taking the additional action of raising the tax on vaping and other tobacco products, to send a message across the board about the perils of using tobacco.
“A healthy state is good for business. Reducing our smoking levels will increase employee wellness, lower healthcare costs for employers, and reduce absenteeism in the workplace. We feel so strongly about these goals that we made healthy and prosperous communities and citizens one of the six main pillars of our Indiana Prosperity 2035 vision plan.
“The Indiana Chamber has been advocating for an increase in the cigarette tax for nearly 15 years. We urge the Indiana General Assembly to pass a budget that includes this much-needed action, and for Governor Braun to sign it into law. This is the right move for the state.”
