New poll shows strong bipartisan support for increasing cigarette taxes, licensing tobacco retailers in Michigan
LANSING – Michigan voters strongly support proposals to strengthen tobacco prevention policies and protect youth from the dangers of nicotine addiction, according to a new poll released today by the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance. The statewide survey tested support for increasing Michigan’s cigarette tax by $1/pack and requiring retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco products.
Both proposals received strong support from voters. Increasing Michigan’s cigarette tax by $1/pack earned 68% support from voters, with 46% strongly supporting the plan. The proposal to require a tobacco retail license earned 70% support from respondents, with 45% strongly supporting.
Notably, support for these issues remained strong regardless of political affiliations. The cigarette tax proposal received support from 80% of Democrats, 61% of Republicans, 63% of Independents and 65% of swing voters. The proposal to require a tobacco retailer license received support from 82% of Democrats, 65% of Republicans, 65% of Independents and 69% of swing voters.
“These poll results show that support for stronger tobacco prevention policies cuts across party line,” said Jodi Radke, regional advocacy director for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and co-chair of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance. “Democrats, Republicans, Independents and swing voters all support these proposals because they are practical, common-sense solutions that protect kids and save lives while generating needed revenue.”
The survey also found that voters are significantly more supportive of increasing taxes on tobacco and nicotine products than raising other taxes. Sixty-six percent (66%) of voters favor a tobacco/nicotine tax increase, which is more than five times the support garnered for increases to taxes on gas (13%), income (14%), or sales tax (14%). Voters also strongly opposed cuts to key programs including K-12 education, healthcare and roads. Among the fiscal options available, the tobacco tax increase is by far the most supported.
“Michigan is woefully behind on tobacco prevention and proposals to increase tobacco taxes and require a tobacco retail license would be a gamechanger for the health of Michiganders,” said Dr. A’Lynne Boles Dukes, co-chair of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance. “Michigan is one of just seven states without a tobacco retail licensing requirement, and the state has not increased its cigarette tax in 20 years. Michigan must do more to protect young people from tobacco’s harm. The strong support in this survey is just icing on the cake and much-needed revenue for the state budget.”
Previous polling done in January 2025 showed similar support for requiring retailers to be licensed to sell tobacco and increasing the state’s cigarette tax. Bipartisan legislation to require tobacco retail licensing has already passed the Michigan Senate and Governor Whitmer has called for an increase in tobacco taxes in her Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal.
This survey was conducted among 827 registered voters in Michigan using a mixed-mode methodology including live telephone interviews, text-to-web, and online surveys. Results weighted by region, age, sex, race, education, and 2024 presidential vote to reflect the composition of the Michigan voter file and past electoral performance. The margin of error is ±3.4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Full polling data details are available here.
About the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance
The Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance is a coalition of more than 120 public health, community organizations, school groups and other community groups advocating for stronger tobacco policy and prevention in Michigan. Learn more at KeepMIKidsTobaccoFree.com.
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