Public health advocates applaud Senate Committee for prioritizing protecting Michigan youth from the dangers of tobacco

Bills would require retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco, repeal penalties on youth

LANSING - The Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance today applauded the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee for advancing vital public health legislation that will protect Michigan youth from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine.

Senate Bills 651 and 652 would require retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco products in Michigan. Senate Bills 653 and 654 would repeal ineffective penalties on youth for purchasing and using tobacco products. After the committee approved the bills, Alliance leaders issued the following statement:

“We are grateful to the committee for prioritizing the health of Michigan youth in approving this important legislation and applaud the Senators who stood up to the tobacco industry that only cares about profits,” said Jodi Radke, regional director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and co-chair of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance. “Michigan lags far behind nationally in tobacco prevention and creating a tobacco retail license will reduce illegal sales of dangerous tobacco and nicotine products to minors. These bills also ensure the retailers are held accountable for selling tobacco products illegally to minors rather than punishing kids, which is ineffective in reducing tobacco use.”  

“Vaping and tobacco use has become far too prevalent for Michigan youth, and it is far too easy for young people to get their hands on these highly addictive products,” said Dr. Brittany Tayler, pediatrician, assistant professor of public health at Michigan State and co-chair of the Alliance. “These bills are a huge step to protecting youth from the dangers of tobacco and to help them avoid a lifetime of addiction. We urge legislators to continue prioritizing our kids by getting these bills to the Governor’s desk before this session ends.”  

The bills now await a vote in the Michigan Senate before moving to the House.

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