Vaping and Tobacco Laws

Tobacco use remains a major public health concern in Michigan, causing over 16,000 deaths each year. Compared to the national average, 20% more Michigan 12th graders have smoked a cigarette, smoked a cigar, used smokeless tobacco or vaped an e-cigarette in the last month. Of young people who smoke, 2 in 3 long-term users will die early of smoking-related causes.

In an effort to reduce tobacco use and prevent its detrimental health effects, Tobacco 21 policies aim to limit youth access to tobacco products (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products) by restricting sales to people aged 21 or over. More than 400 cities and counties and 7 states have adopted Tobacco 21 policies.

In 2019, a team of researchers at the Institute for Health Policy and Innovation and the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan partnered with MyVoice to conduct a rapid, comprehensive policy analysis on the potential effects of Tobacco 21 legislation in Michigan. The policy sprint integrated policy effect simulation analyses, case studies of 4 Ohio communities that have implemented T21 and MyVoice data–including a set of survey questions that collected youth thoughts on tobacco access and legislation. MyVoice data and qualitative themes were used in the policy group’s deliverables, which included an open access white paper and policy brief. These recommendations were distributed to stakeholders across the state.

The work was discussed on Stateside in late April 2019, an NPR program on Michigan Radio. Just days after the group’s policy recommendations were shared, the Michigan Senate voted on bills drafted to limit access to e-cigarettes and “liquid nicotine” products from minors, Senate Bills 106 and 155.