Indiana lawmakers push to increase smoking age to 21

Lawmakers are trying to keep cigarettes out of the hands of young adults by increasing the smoking age.

The House Public Policy Committee voted unanimously Monday to increase the cigarette purchasing age from 18 to 21 years old. If the proposal is signed into law, Indiana would join five other states that have increased the smoking age to 21.

Bill author Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, promoted the measure as a way to save lives.

"We need to take a strong stance on our young people picking up these bad habits," Brown said.

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More than 21 percent of Hoosiers smoke — the 10th highest rate in the 50 states — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most people pick up the habit when they are young, with 99 percent of smokers starting before reaching age 26, CDC data show.

Advocates of the bill argue that by cutting down on smoking, Hoosiers can both improve their general health and reduce health care costs.

Indiana consistently ranks low on public health rankings. In 2017, the United Health Foundation listed Indiana as the 12th worst state for health.

Bill opponents say these policies would take away personal rights of adults who legally can join the military, buy a handgun and vote.

"It is only fair to let young adults exercise the same right to decide whether to buy or use tobacco products that each of you made at the adult ages of 18, 19 and 20," Indiana Grocery and Convenience Store Association President Joe Lackey told lawmakers during testimony.

Lackey and other opponents also worry about a loss of revenue as customers flock to border states — none of which have moved to a 21 smoking age.

"What's more important, revenue or a life?" Brown asked. "We are here to save lives."

For the past few years lawmakers have attempted to help remedy Indiana's public health issues by increasing the cigarette tax. Last year a tax increase was added to a road-funding bill momentarily in order to make up money lost due to a shift of gas tax funds away from the general fund.

Senate leaders shot the proposal down, not wanting to rely on a diminishing source to fill a revenue gap.

In years past the proposal to raise the smoking age has failed to gain the support of leaders. This year may not be any different.

Sen. Brandt Hershman, the former Indiana Senate majority floor leader, said the proposal was "worthy of discussion" prior to the start of session but worried about the balance of discouraging bad behaviors and becoming overbearing.

"There is not a reason we shouldn’t be able to debate this, but I just look at government intrusion with a little bit of a cautious eye," Hershman said.

Call IndyStar reporter Kaitlin Lange at (317) 432-9270. Follow her on Twitter: @kaitlin_lange.