Action Alert: Taxing E-Cigarettes as Tobacco Products

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Rationale:

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.

Currently, there is no tobacco tax attached to e-cigarettes. Taxing tobacco products and cigarettes is a proven strategy to reduce youth initiation and encourage those who smoke or use tobacco products to quit. The Coalition supports creating tax parity with other tobacco products and recommends tax revenue be allocated to tobacco prevention and control programs, which complement and strengthen the effect of tobacco policies in reducing smoking rates.

Take Action Now:

Public hearings allow the public to weigh in on bills that are being considered by lawmakers. Submitting testimony for these hearings is a meaningful way to let lawmakers know your position on these important issues. All you need to do is share why you are in strong support (we have some talking points below to get you started!). Each hearing may have different lawmakers, so you must submit testimony each time there is a new hearing.

Bill Information

Bill: HB 537, HD2 will tax e-cigarettes at an unspecified percentage of the manufacturer’s list price.
Position: Support
Committee: House Committee on Finance
Date/Time: Friday, February 24 at 3:30 PM
Hearing Notice

How to Submit Testimony

  1. Log in/create an account on the Capitol website.
  2. Go to the bill page for HB 537, HD2 and click the “Submit Testimony” button.
  3. Write and upload your testimony on why you SUPPORT HB 537 HD2 (it doesn’t need to be long!).
  4. Submit your testimony by Thursday, February 23, at 3:30 PM to be considered on time, but late testimony should still be accepted.

Talking Points:

  • In Hawai‘i, one in three high school students and one in five middle school students report that they currently use e-cigarettes, or “vapes.” E-cigarettes are now the most popular tobacco product among youth – and that’s largely because these products are not subject to many of the regulations other tobacco products are subject to.
  • E-cigarettes are the only tobacco products without a tax, and we know that taxing tobacco products and cigarettes is a proven strategy to reduce youth initiation and encourage those who smoke or use tobacco products to quit.
  • We support applying a meaningful tax on e-cigarettes because research shows that significant price increases reduce tobacco use among youth. 
  • Please include the taxation rate of 70% of the wholesale price to create parity between e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.