State Representatives put kids’ health first with passage of tobacco prevention legislation

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

LANSING - The Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance today applauded state representatives for choosing Michigan kids over Big Tobacco by approving legislation to keep tobacco and nicotine products out of the hands of Michigan youth.  

House Bills 6002 and 6003 would require retailers to obtain a license to sell tobacco products in Michigan. The U.S. Surgeon General has found that licensing retailers is an evidence-based tobacco control measure to reduce tobacco use. Requiring a license for tobacco retailers lets the state know who is selling tobacco products and will allow the state to enact and enforce policies that that help to prevent young people from ever starting to use tobacco products.

House Bills 6004 and 6005 would repeal ineffective penalties on youth for purchasing and using tobacco products. Research shows that PUP laws shift blame away from the tobacco industry, punish youth who may be addicted to tobacco, undermine more effective prevention strategies and disproportionately harm youth targeted by the tobacco industry.

After the House approved the bills, Alliance leaders issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote is a huge win for Michigan kids and families, reducing the number of youth who will end go down a path of lifelong addiction,” said Jodi Radke, regional director of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and co-chair of the Keep MI Kids Tobacco Free Alliance. “The creation of a Tobacco Retail License will be a game-changer for stopping illegal sales of tobacco and nicotine to our kids. While implementing these policies would be a victory for Michigan, TRL and PUP repeal are just the start and there is much more to do to protect our kids from the dangers of tobacco and nicotine.”

“We are grateful to Michigan state representatives for stepping up and prioritizing the health of our kids by voting for common sense tobacco prevention measures today,” said Dr. Brittany Tayler, pediatrician, assistant professor of public health at Michigan State and co-chair of the Alliance. “It is far too easy for youth to get their hands on these deadly products and these policies will hold retailers accountable instead of penalizing kids. We are eager for these policies to get across the finish line and be signed quickly by Governor Whitmer.”  

The House and Senate have both passed identical versions of these policies. After a concurrance vote the issues will head to the Governor's desk. 

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