Two smoking bans, legislation that would have raised the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21, multiple tobacco tax changes and a ban on flavored tobacco products have all failed in Hawaii as the state’s Legislature adjourned on May 1. Smoking on beaches would have become illegal had H.B. 325 become law. It passed one committee before dying. In the Senate, S.B. 2498 would have banned smoking at the University of Hawaii, it failed to pass committee. A move to change the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 failed in both the House and Senate without either bill making it onto the floor. Multiple bills were proposed regarding changes to taxes. Under H.B. 704 and , all tobacco products other than premium cigars would have a new tax of 85 percent of the wholesale price, both bills would have established a 50 cent cap for premium cigars. In addition, S.B. 188 would have established the 50 cent cap without any increases in taxes, it passed the Senate, but failed in the House, much like H.B 1849 which also would have changed the tax rate regarding premium cigars. Sen. Josh Green, D-Hawai’i, who introduced the cigar-friendly S.B. 188 also introduced ...
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