RELEASE: Bipartisan bills protecting youth from dangers of tobacco approved Thursday by Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee
Bipartisan bills protecting youth from dangers of tobacco approved Thursday by Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee
Legislation requires retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco, repeals ineffective penalties on youth
LANSING – The Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance today applauded the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee for taking bipartisan action to advance commonsense public health legislation that will protect Michigan youth from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine.
Senate Bills 462 and 465, sponsored by Sens. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and Joe Bellino (R-Monroe), would require retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco products in Michigan. Senate Bills 463 and 466, sponsored by Sens. Paul Wojno and Mary Cavanagh, 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’s youth and holding bad actors accountable for selling these dangerous, addictive products,” said Jodi Radke, chair of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance and regional director for Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “Enacting stronger tobacco prevention policies will help protect our youth from a lifetime of nicotine addiction. Michigan lags far behind on prevention and is one of only nine states that doesn’t have a tobacco retailer license in place. This legislation is long overdue and we are grateful to the sponsors for their leadership. We urge the full Senate to approve these bills swiftly.”
Year after year, Michigan receives failing grades for its tobacco control policies. Tobacco kills more than 16,200 Michiganders annually—more than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides combined. Tobacco costs the state over $5.33 billion in health care expenditures and more than $11.5 billion in lost productivity each year.
Michigan’s weak regulations have led to high rates of illegal sales to minors. Over 15% of Michigan high school students are using e-cigarettes, which come in kid-friendly flavors like cotton candy and bubble gum e-cigarettes and can deliver massive doses of nicotine.
Similar legislation was approved by both chambers during the last session but failed to reach Gov. Whitmer’s desk.
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