ACTION ALERT:
SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE TOBACCO REGULATIONS IN HAWAI‘I
We are in the midst of a youth vaping epidemic. In Hawai‘i, one in three high school students and one in five middle school students report “current use” of e-cigarettes.
In order to combat this alarming trend, Hawai‘i must take swift action. We know what works to reduce youth tobacco use – we did it before with cigarettes. Comprehensive policies, as well as investments in tobacco prevention, education, and cessation programs, brought Hawaii’s adult and youth smoking rate to record lows. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel – by applying the same tobacco prevention and control policies to e-cigarettes, we can reverse the youth vaping epidemic.
Note: Testimony needs to be submitted each time the bill is heard, as different lawmakers are on each committee. It’s fine to submit the same testimony, but please submit every time you receive an action alert!
SB1147 will comprehensively regulate e-cigarettes as a tobacco product by ending the sale of flavored tobacco and e-liquids (except menthol), taxing e-cigarettes, closing the online purchasing loophole, and directs a portion of the tax revenue to tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
SB 1147 is scheduled for a joint hearing by the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Committee on Ways and Means on Wednesday, March 3 at 9:45 AM. Please submit your testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for consideration.
WHY EACH POLICY IS IMPORTANT
EQUITY IMPLICATIONS