New law aims to address youth vaping by regulating e-cigarettes

The Maui News

Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday signed into law long-sought legislation to regulate e-cigarettes and address youth vaping, which state officials say is becoming a growing problem locally.

Act 62 establishes the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products. This includes electronic smoking devices and e-liquids under the definition of "tobacco products" for purposes of the cigarette tax and tobacco tax law. It also imposes an excise tax on each electronic smoking device or e-liquid sold, used or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer, starting Jan. 1.

State lawmakers said during the legislative session that the goal was to regulate e-cigarettes like other cigarettes and tobacco products, including by imposing taxes.

"This legislation has been years in the making and I applaud the Department of Health and all the advocates, including youth advocates, who have successfully stewarded this to fruition," Green said in a news release Tuesday.

Oahu state Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole said that the bill "takes aim at the youth vaping epidemic by concentrating enforcement on the unregulated local and online vape market."

"This bill will reduce access and availability of electronic smoking devices to children and teens and stem the tide of vaping addiction overwhelming our schools," said Keohokalole, chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Retired Maui state Sen. Roz Baker, who for many years led legislative efforts to pass the measure, also attended the bill-signing ceremony at the State Capitol on Tuesday.

"This is going to save lives," Baker said. "This is such an important bill to safeguard young people who may be attracted to vaping. It is important to have regulation to keep our citizens safe and healthy."

The law takes effect July 1.