REPORT: Indiana Lacks Funding For Tobacco Control Programs

Indiana has the nation's 10th-highest smoking rate.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – A new study shows a lack of funding for tobacco control programs may be contributing to Indiana having a high smoking rate.

According to a Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation report, Indiana spent $8.2 million in 2016 on tobacco control efforts. That may seem like a lot of money, but comparatively the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends states allocate $73.5 million for such efforts.

The report predicts that spending the recommended $73.5 million could cause approximately 117-thousand Hoosier adults to stop smoking. A reduction of that magnitude would cut the state’s smoking rate by about 11 percent.

Researchers say smoking causes more than 11,000 deaths per year in Indiana and cost the state $7.6 billion in health care expenses.

Indiana currently has the nation’s 10th-highest smoking rate.

For more information, read the full Fairbanks Foundation report at www.rmff.org.

More from Local News


Events

On Air

Your Hometown Radio Station playing
James Otto - Just Got Started Loving You

Martina McBride I Love You 1:22
David Ball Thinkin' Problem 1:20
Morgan Wallen You Proof 1:17
Judds Why Not Me? 1:13