Although we suspect a lot of people are not going to be happy about it, we support measures working their way through the State Legislature that would allow counties to tighten enforcement of what tobacco products can be sold there.

The Senate bills in the Regulatory Affairs Committee would require tougher rules for tobacco sellers, according to the Michigan Association for Local Public Health.

For the first time, the legislation would ban all sales of flavored tobacco products, require tobacco retailers to be licensed and tax e-cigarettes and vapes containing nicotine.

Bills would also repeal ineffective penalties that punish youth for possessing tobacco products, according to the legislation.

Sen. Sue Shink D-Northfield Township, a sponsor of one of the bills, said, “It is part of a larger package that is designed to address the crisis of young people being addicted to flavored vapes.”

In Michigan, youth use of e-cigarettes is about 50% higher than the national average, according to Shink.

You read that right — 50 percent.

Dave Hodgkins, the legislative associate for state and federal affairs for the Michigan Municipal League, said the organization, which represents cities and villages, supports the legislation.

“Local control is important because it ensures the ability, the balance, the needs, interests and safety of all residents in their respective communities,” he said.

To us, increasing local control has a huge upside, namely the people who are most directly affected by the situation have much easier access to governmental decision makers.

We hope this passes and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs it into law postehaste.

— The Mining Journal, Marquette