Michigan Legislature to consider ban on flavored tobacco

(CBS DETROIT)The Michigan Legislature is considering a ban on flavored tobacco, which is present in vapes and e-cigarettes, on one of its last days of session. Flavored tobacco has proven very popular among young people.

On Tuesday afternoon, the whole state House authorized a set of seven legislation for review. Among other improvements, the measures would alter local legislation, advertising, licensing, and the criminal penalties for minors possessing tobacco.

The Detroit Wayne Oakland Tobacco Coalition’s Minou Jones supports the legislation.

“When we’re looking at our kids today we have to see long into the future you know maybe it doesn’t impact them today maybe you don’t see the devastating health impact today, but we know and understand the consequences of nicotine, and so Michigan has a great opportunity to put an end to this today,” Jones stated.

Jones took some of her father’s relics to Lansing on Tuesday. She stated her dad started smoking when he was fourteen years old and bought cigarettes with the money he earned from his paper route. This occurred prior to Michigan’s tobacco consumption being restricted by age.

According to Jones, “My father was a blue-collar worker; he worked for Chrysler,” CBS News Detroit said. At forty, he received a diagnosis of emphysema. That is not what we want for our children.

Rodney Rahim Deas stated that he is against the proposed amendments, despite the fact that a number of pro-ban campaigners spoke during Tuesday’s session.

“It would create an underground market that would criminalize Black and Latino people for selling it so this bill has got to go,” Deas stated.

After covering Michigan’s capital for two years, Elle Meyers joined the CBS News Detroit staff in April 2023. Born in Oregon, Elle graduated from the University of Oregon (go Ducks!) with a double major in political science and journalism, two subjects that have helped her along the way to Detroit.

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