Patrick Barkey, director of economic and policy studies for Ball State, believes that the state suffers long-term effects due to smoking and tobacco production. Every day about 1.2 million Indiana residents purchase and smoke an average of 1.4 packs of cigarettes.

In a study funded by the Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Agency, Barkey's research found that if Hoosiers did not smoke and the state did not cater to the tobacco industry, Indiana's economy would benefit from reduced health costs, increased productivity and shifts in consumer spending.

The study also found that if tobacco was not used or produced in Indiana:

• More than 175,000 additional jobs would exist
• Personal income would be $28.7 billion higher
• After-tax income would be 7 percent higher
• Population would be 500,000 higher with half the increase being migrants from other states
• More than $100 billion in cumulative new investment would be created
• Per person income would be about $108 higher annually

"The results of this study support a growing body of evidence that suggest that tobacco is more than simply a killer of people," Barkey said. "It is also a killer of jobs and wealth. As such, public policies that seek to limit its use have strong justification."

For more information, contact Barkey at pbarkey@bsu.edu or (765) 285-5926.