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House District 75
Full Questionnaire text can be found here. All answers are verbatim with the exception that explanations that started with a lower case letter were capitalized.
Question 1: Do you support legislation that would create a strong fully funded, comprehensive tobacco retail licensing system in Michigan that includes strong enforcement and penalties on violators?
Penelope Tsernoglou: Yes. As of 2020, 39 states require a license for over-the-counter tobacco sales. It is important that Michigan implement a comprehensive tobacco retail licensing regime that addresses public safety and health.
Chris Stewart: Did Not Respond
Question 2- Do you support simplifying the taxation rate to a uniform rate of 32% that covers all tobacco products?
Penelope Tsernoglou: Yes. Products that contain similarly harmful amounts of nicotine should be taxed at a uniform rate, while smoke-free vapor products should be taxed at a lesser rate in order to incentivize the switch to safer alternatives with less nicotine content.
Question 3- Do you support legislation that would reduce or eliminate ineffective Purchase, Use and Possession laws?
Penelope Tsernoglou: Yes. Laws prohibiting the possession, use, and purchase of tobacco products are less effective than policy actions which has been shown to alter behavior in a positive manner– such as advertising and pricing requirements.
Chris Stewart: Did Not Respond
Question 4- Do you support increasing Michigan's annual expenditures for cessation and prevention services to a minimum of $10 million annually to support the two-thirds (68%) of people who currently smoke and would like to quit?
Penelope Tsernoglou: Yes. The health care and public health expenditures in Michigan that result directly from tobacco use is astronomical. If the state prioritizes policy prescriptions that support people in their journey to quit smoking, this will benefit individuals and communities everywhere by lowering deaths and related expenditures.
Question 5- Do you support recognizing Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialists as a profession for Medicaid billing?
Penelope Tsernoglou: Yes. CTTS should be recognized as a profession for Medicaid billing, as this will provide much needed medical support and care to residents across the state.
Question 6- Do you support giving pharmacists the authority to prescribe all seven tobacco cessation medications?
Penelope Tsernoglou: Yes. We must lower barriers for which people access care to medical services. A large part of this is giving pharmacists the authority to prescribe tobacco cessation medications.