The following statement can be attributed to Andrew Schepers, director of government relations in Michigan for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
“After weeks of calling on Gov. Whitmer to veto Senate Bills 106 and 155, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is disappointed that the governor has signed these bills into law. The Legislature failed to create and pass comprehensive legislation that defines and regulates e-cigarettes as tobacco products to protect Michigan’s youth from Big Tobacco’s predatory practices.
“Decades of experience and research demonstrate that only through a comprehensive approach to tobacco control using proven tactics such as comprehensive smoke-free laws and taxation can we ensure the greatest positive impact on health outcomes. ACS CAN hopes to see legislation in the near future that would define e-cigarettes as tobacco products, adds them to Michigan’s smoke-free law and taxes them at the same rate as other tobacco products.
“Opportunities were missed to take legislative actions that would reduce e-cigarette usage rates and save lives. ACS CAN stands committed to working with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Treasury to ensure their work is done in an expedited manner. Michigan’s children cannot afford to wait for comprehensive protections against Big Tobacco. ACS CAN will continue to advocate to ensure Michigan lawmakers support these efforts to improve the health of our communities.”
About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
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