The Michigan Senate today (December 26) passed bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing youth tobacco use by requiring all tobacco retailers in the state to be licensed. Sponsored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D–East Lansing) and co-sponsored by Sen. Joseph Bellino (R–Monroe), Senate Bills 462 and 465 would establish a statewide regulatory framework similar to those already in place in most other U.S. states. Michigan is currently one of only nine states without a tobacco retail licensing requirement.
The legislation would introduce regular inspections of tobacco retailers, increase penalties for selling tobacco products to minors, regulate online and delivery sales, ban flash sales, and create a dedicated state fund to support enforcement. The bills now move to the Michigan House for consideration, where companion legislation was introduced earlier this week.