LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — 4 payments that will crack down on tobacco use amongst Michigan youth handed the Michigan Senate Thursday.
SB 651 and SB 652 together would require retailers to acquire a license to promote any tobacco or nicotine merchandise within the state and descriptions penalties for promoting them to somebody underneath the age of 21, together with fines and license suspensions.
“By creating stronger enforcement and accountability measures for tobacco retailers through a statewide regulatory system, we can bring Michigan up to speed with nearly every other state in the country,” mentioned Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing).
In line with the CDC, Michigan is one in every of 10 states within the nation to not require a license to promote tobacco or nicotine merchandise in any respect.
“Creating a tobacco retail license will be instrumental to reducing illegal sales of tobacco and nicotine,” says Jodi Radke, regional director of the Marketing campaign for Tobacco-Free Children and co-chair of the Preserve MI Children Tobacco Free Alliance “It’s time to protect our kids and hold retailers accountable for leading youth into a lifetime of addiction.”
Moreover, SB 653 and SB 654 together would repeal authorized penalties towards minors for tobacco use, buy, or possession—which lawmakers and advocates alike say are ineffective.
These 4 payments now head to the Home for consideration.
