Public health advocates: Legislators must reject efforts to weaken Michigan’s smokefree law, expose more residents to the dangers of tobacco

Following the House Regulatory Reform Committee hearing on “hookah exemption” bills that would cause more secondhand smoke exposure and weaken Michigan’s smokefree air law today, public health leaders from the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance issued the following statement:

“These bills are a ploy to circumvent Michigan’s smokefree air law under the guise of cutting government red tape,” said Jodi Radke, Regional Director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance Co-Chair. “The reality is that House Bills 5554 and 5555 will increase the exposure of tobacco to Michigan residents and weaken our state’s smokefree air law. This legislation puts the desires of hookah business owners before the health of our residents and must be rejected.”

Dr. Brittany Tayler, Pediatrician and Co-Chair of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance added:

“As a pediatrician, I regularly treat young people for the health harms caused by tobacco-related products. There is no such thing as a safe level of tobacco to consume and an exemption prioritizing hookah lounge profits over the safety of Michiganders is not acceptable. It’s time to instead focus on policies that protect our youth from tobacco products, including Senate Bills 647-654 awaiting action in the Michigan Senate. These bills would be a major step backward in Michigan’s efforts to protect our youth.” 

The Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance is awaiting a hearing on a comprehensive tobacco prevention package in the Michigan Senate (Senate Bills 647-654) that would:

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

• Establish 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)

• Raise 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)

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

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

Learn more about these efforts at KeepMIKidsTobaccoFree.com.