INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana's 2014 position as one of the 10 least healthiest states, as designated by an America's Health Rankings report, has led lawmakers to propose drastic changes to the state's tobacco laws and taxes. Indiana's News and Tribune reports the pending bi-partisan bill, co-authored by State Representative Charlie Brown (D) and Ed Clere (R), would ban the sale of cigarettes at stores operating pharmacies, end the smoking exemption for casinos, and eliminate an existing "smokers' bill of rights" that makes it illegal for employers to screen job applicants for tobacco use.
"If Indiana's health rankings were any better, I might not feel a sense of urgency about this," said Clere, who also serves as the state's House Public Health Committee Chairman.
Though the proposal does not include the $1-per-pack tax increase called for by the American Cancer Society, it would add a tax of 24% of the wholesale cost to electronic cigarettes (and would also extend existing smoking bans to include vapor devices).
Tobacco and vapor retailers have voiced multiple concerns over the regulations proposed in the bill. Rob Kaiser, owner of a New Albany, Ind., vape shop, argued the tax could dissuade current smokers from switching to electronic cigarettes.
"It's going to drive people back to smoking," Kaiser told the newspaper. "The whole reason why people are doing this is that it's a better alternative for them, and it's also cheaper. If you add the tax to it, they're just going to say, 'What the hell, I'll just keep smoking'."
Kroger spokesperson John Elliott pointed out that while proponents of the bill cite concerns over the state's overall health, they are not attempting to restrict sales of other contributors to Indiana's low health ranking and high obesity rates, such as alcohol or high-fat foods.
"We think our customers can make their own decisions about what they consume," Elliott told the paper, adding that the legislation could end cigarette sales at Kroger locations with pharmacies.
Supporters counter that Indiana's smoking rate of 21% (more than one in five adults) costs the state more than $1 billion a year on health care costs associated with smoking and smoking-related illnesses.
"There's a need for a cultural shift on smoking in Indiana," Clere said. "We need to start that conversation."
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