A series of Michigan bills would effectively ban flavored vapes and nicotine pouches, while imposing a prohibitive 57% tax on remaining products. The legislation repeats past failed attempts backed by anti-tobacco groups to starve the state’s vaping market.
If passed, the laws would shutter vape shops, end convenient store sales, and potentially bar online purchases. The result will be increased cigarette smoking as former vapers return to combustibles or seek risky black market sources.
Despite the threat to public health aims, the flavor prohibition and excessive tax continue to be sold as preventing youth vaping. In reality, the bills undermine harm reduction for adults while likely strengthening illicit markets. Vaping advocates urge compromise through reasonable taxation and restricting, not removing, flavors.
Similar to past state-level vaping crackdowns, Michigan’s legislation ignores data showing bans and price spikes catalyze more hazardous use. Lawmakers face pressure to balance regulation against paternalism, and better incorporate consumer impacts into the policymaking process.
