Republican Rep. Cindy Kirchhofer of Beech Grove says the bill will help address the state's high smoking rates and improve Indiana's overall health.

Nearly one in four Hoosier adults smoke, and more than 11,000 die each year from smoking related diseases.

Researchers found that costs associated with tobacco use total $6.8 billion each year.

The plan includes increases in the gas and cigarette taxes. Its authors argue they are modest, necessary moves that help create a long term funding solution. But several members of the Senate Appropriations Committee seemed skeptical about proposal’s tax increases.

Indiana residents would pay more for gasoline and cigarettes but less in state income taxes under a bill the House has approved.

The House Republican road funding bill remains unchanged as the measure goes up for passage in the House Tuesday. Democrats made one last effort Monday to advance their own road funding plan.

House Ways and Means Chair Tim Brown says the tax cut, which would be spread out over the next 10 years, would balance out his caucus’ road funding bill.

A House road funding proposal cleared its first legislative hurdle Wednesday, but the GOP plan was not embraced by all Republicans on the House Roads Committee.

Cancer prevention advocates have long called for Indiana to raise its cigarette tax – something the state hasn’t done in eight years. But, it’s a road funding priority that’s finally generating momentum for the controversial move.