Recently, I wrote about Electronic Cigarettes legal information. Within the article I discussed how the state of Hawaii Wants to Tax ALL Electronic Cigarette Devices & Accessories! Well, just recently we received word that about the Hawaii e-Cigarette Bill from this news source. Here’s what they tell us:
After much debate, an edited e-cigarette bill in Hawaii will not tax e-cigs at the 70% tobacco tax rate, but will restrict sales to minors.E-cigarette bill, SB2233, was passed by the Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Committee Friday, Feb. 10, after members voted to delete language that would require a 70% tobacco tax on the devices, according to the Hawaii Reporter. Meanwhile the main portion of the bill, restricting sales of e-cigarettes to minors, remains intact. Those opposed to requiring a 70% tax on the devices, which deliver vaporized nicotine to users, noted the devices do not contain tobacco, do not emit hazardous or noxious smoke, and could help customers break smoking habits. A sharp debate lead up to the vote. While all testimony agreed with a ban on selling products to minors, more than 1,000 people and companies protested the tobacco tax on e-cigarettes. State Health Department Director Loretta Fuddy told members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, “There is very little known about the long term health effects of the use of e-cigarettes or the vapors given off. Recent studies have shown that within one liquid nicotine cartridge there is enough nicotine to cause serious illness or even death.” Meanwhile, Cory Smith, president of local retailer Volcano Fine Electronic Cigarettes, said the product actually helps tobacco smokers quit their habits and produces none of the second-hand smoke issues associated with traditional tobacco cigarettes. He added that taxing e-cigarettes at the 70% tobacco rate would shut down his business and drive customers to the Internet or out-of-state to purchase the devices.
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This electronic cigarette Hawaii Bill was vitally important for the “Volcano” electronic cigarette brand, since they are based in Hawaii.
I had received a request from them to sign their petition about the taxing of electronic cigarettes at 70% (ridiculous!) as if EVERYTHING — batteries, atomizers, etc., was “tobacco” The Volcano eCigs (excellent brand btw) got their 1000+ signatures on the petition and the lawmakers actually listened.
Electronic cigarettes ARE NOT tobacco products just because some of them contain nicotine. They are not combustible (no fire required) and do not contain the 4000+ chemicals burning tobacco contains.
This is incredibly good news for electronic cigarettes laws in the state of Hawaii and lends precedence if other states try to go this route.
