LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Legislation that would ban the use of vaping devices and materials by teens, ban sales of to minors and make it a crime for a teen to possess vaping products has cleared both legislative chambers and could soon become law.
Surveys show that the use of e-cigarettes by teens has exploded in recent years, increasing by 10% in the last year alone.
Rep. Thomas Albert says that Michigan should have taken the action long before now. In fact he says Michigan is the only state where vaping devices are still allowed for minors.
The bills, which have received overwhelming bipartisan support, are now headed back to the Senate for a vote on immediate effect, before traveling to the Governor’s desk.
Teens under 18 would be fined $50 if caught. Merchants who sell to teens would be fined $100 the first time, $500 the second time and $2500 the third time.
The new law would require that vaping products be packaged in child resistant containers and kept behind the counter at retail outlets.
Former Governor Rick Snyder vetoed similar legislation last year because vaping wasn’t also designated as tobacco products for taxing purposes. Health officials in the Whitmer administration have expressed similar reservations.
