Learn the Facts

The Problem

  • Michigan lags behind other states when it comes to protecting kids and communities from the dangers of smoking and tobacco. 

  • Tobacco use is a critical public health issue in Michigan with addictive and dangerous products fueling a serious youth tobacco and nicotine problem. 

  • Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in our country, and Michigan needs to get serious about tobacco prevention. 

  • Tobacco use kills 16,200 Michiganders each year, according to the CDC — more than drug overdose, alcohol, auto accidents, murders, suicides, and HIV combined. 

  • 14% of Michigan high schoolers use e-cigarettes, according to the CDC.

  • Michigan spends less than 2% of the CDC’s recommended spending on tobacco prevention programs, while the tobacco industry spends $300 million a year to market their products to our youth.

  • Year after year, according to FDA inspection data, Michigan has one of the highest rates of retailer violations for tobacco sales to youth in the country, and in multiple years has been issued the most “no tobacco sales orders” from FDA of any state.

  • The tobacco industry uses flavored tobacco products to hook kids. Eight out of 10 youth who have ever used tobacco started with a flavored product, according to data from the FDA.

  • Michigan is one of only 10 states that does not require tobacco retailers to purchase a license. We know kids are easily gaining access to addictive tobacco products at neighborhood stores because so many retailers are failing federal compliance checks. 

  • Last year, tobacco retailers failed more than a quarter (26%) of federal compliance checks and sold to kids. In Detroit, the numbers are even worse, with 59% of compliance checks resulting in a sale to a minor. This is unacceptable.

  • Michigan voters agree: A recently completed statewide survey shows that Michigan voters strongly support a comprehensive legislative plan to reduce tobacco use in the state. Two-thirds of likely voters (67%) support the bill package, with nearly half of voters (48%) strongly in support.

What Michigan Needs

Michigan needs effective tobacco prevention policies to protect our youth and reduce health disparities. These changes include:

    • Ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including flavored e-cigarettes and menthol-flavored cigarettes. (Senate Bills 649 and 650, Cherry)

    • Establishing statewide Tobacco Retail Licensing (TRL) to ensure tobacco sellers are held accountable for following laws, especially not selling tobacco to minors. (SBs 651 and 652, Singh)

    • Raising the price of all tobacco products, taxing e-cigarettes just like all other tobacco products and dedicating new funds to prevention and cessation services. (SB 648, Chang)

    • Restoring local control allowing municipalities to enact local policies on tobacco sales if they so choose. (SB 647, Shink)

    • Repealing ineffective penalties that punish kids for tobacco purchase, use, and possession. (SB 654, Wojno and SB 653, Cavanagh)

Resources/Background