Hawaii Passes E-Cigarette Tobacco Tax Amendment

Jun.07.2023
Hawaii Passes E-Cigarette Tobacco Tax Amendment
Hawaii Governor signs bill to classify e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquids as tobacco products, subject to the same taxes and regulations.

On June 7th, local time in Hawaii, Governor Josh Green signed an amendment to the Tobacco and Cigarette Tax Law, which revises the definition of "tobacco products" to include electronic cigarettes and e-liquids. The amendment was officially announced on Governor Green's website.

 

Currently, tobacco and snuff products in Hawaii are subject to a state consumption tax of 70% of the wholesale price, as well as federal consumer taxes. This legislative amendment will include electronic cigarettes and e-liquids in the definition of "tobacco products," subjecting them to tobacco taxes and laws. This means that electronic cigarette products will be subject to the same tax standards as traditional tobacco products like cigarettes. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2024.

 

Additionally, the bill proposes an increase in license fees for distributors and retailers of cigarettes and tobacco products.

 

Governor Green stated:

 

"This legislation has been under discussion for many years. I commend the Ministry of Health and all advocates, including youth advocates, for their successful efforts to promote this matter."

 

Representative Scott Matayoshi stated:

 

"S.B. 975 is an important bill in our fight against vaping and e-cigarette use, which will ultimately save many people from the harmful effects of tobacco products."

 

Reference(s):

 

Governor Green has signed legislation aimed at protecting children by prohibiting the use of vaping products.

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK PM Andy Burnham Reshapes Vape Retail Rules as Licensing Could Raise Barriers for New Shops
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pushing a high street reform agenda that could give local authorities greater powers over commercial activity, including vape retail. The reforms could involve expanded planning powers and a potential vape retail licensing system, allowing councils to play a larger role in store locations and market access. The measures are part of the UK’s broader shift toward tighter vape regulation, although no nationwide vape retail restrictions have yet been implemented.
Aug.11
Former ATF Official’s Claims on Chinese Vape Companies and 6-Methyl Nicotine Fuel US Regulatory Debate
Former ATF Official’s Claims on Chinese Vape Companies and 6-Methyl Nicotine Fuel US Regulatory Debate
Former ATF Deputy Director Edgar Domenech has warned that some Chinese vape companies may be using 6-methyl nicotine, a nicotine analogue, raising new questions over how US regulators should classify emerging nicotine compounds.
Jul.13
Product | OLIVEBAR Launches RAZ PRO 85K, Combining Up to 85,000 Puffs With a Transparent Pod Design
Product | OLIVEBAR Launches RAZ PRO 85K, Combining Up to 85,000 Puffs With a Transparent Pod Design
OLIVEBAR has introduced the RAZ PRO 85K disposable vape, featuring up to 85,000 puffs, a transparent e-liquid pod, and a Mega HD display. As competition in the ultra-high-puff disposable segment continues to intensify, the new device reflects an industry shift from simply increasing puff counts toward enhancing visual interaction and user experience.
Jul.03
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Freedom of Information (FOI) data from the UK shows that more than 3,000 seizures of illegal nicotine products were recorded in the 2024/25 financial year, with Hull, Liverpool and Bolton emerging as the most active enforcement hotspots — highlighting that the problem of illicit vapes, nicotine pouches and smokeless tobacco products persists across many parts of the country.
Jun.16
  South Korea Reopens Cigarette Tax Debate as 63% Back Higher Tobacco Taxes
South Korea Reopens Cigarette Tax Debate as 63% Back Higher Tobacco Taxes
South Korea’s cigarette tax debate has resurfaced after the Ministry of Health and Welfare said tobacco price policy needed review, with a poll showing 63% of respondents support higher tobacco taxes.
Regulations
Jun.22
One Nation Proposes 50% Tobacco Excise Cut as Australia’s Illicit Market Expands
One Nation Proposes 50% Tobacco Excise Cut as Australia’s Illicit Market Expands
Australian One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has proposed cutting tobacco excise by 50% and freezing indexation until June 30, 2028, in a bid to lower legal cigarette prices and reduce the price advantage of the illicit tobacco market.
Jun.18