As a pediatrician charged with our children’s health, screening and treating tobacco use is top priority in my office. You might not expect this from a pediatrician; however, I know that nearly 90 percent of smokers start using tobacco when they are kids. In addition, close to half of all kids are exposed to secondhand smoke, and more than 9,000 babies are born each year to Hoosier moms who smoke. Tobacco use, indeed, is a pediatric disease.

For decades, pediatricians like me have worked along-side families to curb tobacco use. But we need help, and our lawmakers have the prescription, right now, in this year’s legislative session.

Decades of evidence have shown us that significant cigarette tax increases are the most effective tool to keep kids from staring to smoke and to help adults quit.  The key word: significant. Passing small cigarette tax increases simply won’t fix what ails Hoosiers.  

Unfortunately, the Indiana House recently approved a 50-cent cigarette tax increase, which is unlikely to have a significant impact on smoking rates because tobacco companies will simply help consumers offset the increase with coupons, discounts and other price promotions.

 
Tobacco companies spend nearly $300 million per year in marketing in Indiana. About 80 percent of that budget is spent on price promotions – coupons, multi-pack discounts, and contractual arrangements with wholesalers and retailers that keep prices low for consumers.

 
The tobacco industry is shrewd. They use these discount strategies to target price-sensitive populations. And these strategies work. Research shows that tobacco cessation efforts are not substantially boosted after small tax increases and these price discounting tactics lead to young people progressing from experimentation to regular smoking.

 
It’s been fourteen years since Indiana last raised the cigarette tax – longer than most of my patients have been alive. As a pediatrician, I am doing my best to help kids remain tobacco free, but it is time for lawmakers to do their part. I am grateful lawmakers are considering a cigarette tax increase this year, but they should know 50-cents won’t do the trick. I join the 200 health and business groups who have called for a $2 cigarette tax increase. Our kids deserve it and the health of Hoosiers demands it.