Bills strengthen tobacco, nicotine regulations to protect minors
State Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit) speaks on the House Floor on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at the Capitol in Lansing.
LANSING, Mich., Oct. 17, 2024 — State Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit) is among the sponsors of the Protect MI Kids bill package. House Bills 6002–05 and 6022 and companion Senate Bills 647–54 seek to strengthen Michigan’s tobacco sales laws, bringing increased oversight to the industry and addressing the risks posed to vulnerable populations, especially minors.
“The health of our residents, particularly our young people, is a top priority,” said Young, chair of the House Families, Children and Seniors Committee. “This legislation is designed to reduce the accessibility of tobacco and nicotine products to minors, ensuring retailers are held accountable and that public health remains central to Michigan’s legislative efforts.”
Young sponsored HB 6004, which enforces stricter legal sign and notice requirements for retailers. The bill clarifies specific language and requirements to be used on the legal sign and its location and distance from retailers’ nicotine and tobacco products. The bill also clarifies that the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services must provide copies of these signs free of charge to establishments.
“These legal notices are important to help individuals make informed decisions,” Young said. “This bill package will help reduce the number of young people getting hooked on these harmful products.”
Young also sponsored HB 6005, which clarifies that the Age of Majority Act — which sets the age of adulthood to 18 years of age — does not apply to the Nicotine and Tobacco Act, which requires an individual be 21 years of age or older to purchase nicotine and tobacco products.
“The consequences of nicotine addiction are well-known, and we must do more to prevent young people from falling into lifelong addiction,” Young said. “That’s why we introduced these bills — to safeguard the future of our communities. It is unfair for youth to face criminal liability because they have nicotine products in their possession. Many are simply imitating what they see adults around them do, and that should not make them criminals.”
HBs 6002-05 have been referred to the House Families, Children and Seniors Committee. Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck), and state Reps. Helena Scott (D-Detroit) and Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids) also have bills in the package.
###