Cutting Anti-Smoking Efforts Could Reverse Progress, Experts Say

Indiana's anti-smoking efforts have been touted as some of the most successful in the country, but advocates worry budget cuts could snuff out Hoosier's progress.
A Senate bill threatens to wipe out the Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program, cut funds to $5 million and give the responsibility to the Indiana State Department of Health, 6News' Stacia Matthews reported.
The news came after lawmakers failed to pass a statewide smoking ban this session.

"I think the chances of Indiana being smoke-free are in danger," said Brandee Bastin with Hancock Regional Hospital. "I think the efforts for a comprehensive program, consumption rates to go down, is all in jeopardy."
Advocates credit the state's tobacco prevention effort for reducing smoking rates among kids in Indiana by 42 percent in the past decade.
Rick Stoddard, whose wife died of lung cancer, told a school group Tuesday the best way to avoid the risks associated with smoking is to never start.
"You can't wait until you get cancer and then go, 'Uh, this is a mistake. I better quit,'" he said. "It was too late."
With the session set to end Friday, advocates are mobilizing opposition to the bill.
"Tobacco-use rates will rise again," said longtime anti-smoking advocate Mickey Maurers. "There is something missing here because we do not need to be the ashtray of the Midwest."
Ohio, Illinois and Michigan all have passed smoking bans.