Hoosiers are having a tough time trying to kick their smoking habit.?? A Ball State study found more than half of all smokers in the state tried to quit at least one time over the past year.
If everyone were to succeed, the study said, it would lead to billions of dollars in healthcare savings for Indiana.
In 2010, 9,700 Hoosiers died from smoking-related illnesses.
More than 200 Tobacco Free Indiana advocates held a rally Wednesday at the Indiana Statehouse.
The group wants lawmakers to reconsider a budget proposal that slashes funding for prevention programs by almost 40 percent. The money goes to support more than 60 groups in communities across the state.
“If we lose that funding these communities aren’t going to be able to do these programs, we are talking about jobs in communities, and preventing our youth from ever becoming smokers,” said Lindsay Grace.
Tobacco Free Indiana said if the cuts go through, it’ll lose $3 million in funding.
Senate leaders will unveil their state budget proposal Thursday, which could provide answers to the funding issue.
