New Report: Michigan Earns Mostly Failing Grades for Tobacco Control Policies

Today, the American Lung Association released the 22nd annual “State of Tobacco Control” report, which finds that Michigan received three Fs, one D and one C grade for efforts to prevent and reduce tobacco use. 

The “State of Tobacco Control” report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save lives.

“Tobacco use is the leading cause of death in Michigan and across the country, and takes the lives of 16,170 state residents each year. The tobacco industry will do anything to protect their profits at the expense of Michigan lives, so we must push forward in our efforts to prevent and reduce tobacco use,” said Ken Fletcher, Advocacy Director at the American Lung Association in Michigan. We call on the Senate to act quickly to approve the package of bills introduced last fall to protect Michiganders from the impact of tobacco.

Michigan’s Grades 
The “State of Tobacco Control” report grades states and the District of Columbia in five areas that have been proven to prevent and reduce tobacco use and save lives. In the 2024 report, Michigan received the following grades: 
•    Funding for State Tobacco Prevention Programs – Grade F
•    Strength of Smokefree Workplace Laws – Grade C
•    Level of State Tobacco Taxes – Grade D
•    Coverage and Access to Services to Quit Tobacco – Grade F
•    Ending the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products – Grade F
 
This year’s report noted the need for Michigan policy makers to focus on four key priorities: 
1.    Pass SB 651-652 to license all tobacco retailers, including e-cigarette retailers; 
2.    Approve SB 649-650 to Prohibit flavorings, including mint and menthol, for all tobacco products; 
3.    Pass SB 653-654 to Eliminate purchase, use and possession laws and SB 647 to eliminate preemption of stronger local laws; and
4.    Approve SB 648 to Increase cigarette taxes and match the tax on noncigarette forms of tobacco like spit tobacco, cigars, hookah and e-cigarettes to the cigarette tax.