Hawaii flavored tobacco ban voted down

Lawmakers have until Thursday to schedule a hearing for H.B. However, according to KITV, if the legislation fails to pass a vote in the Hawaii Senate committee, it means the bill will not move forward. Lawmakers in Hawaii essentially killed a bill that would have proposed banning flavored e-cigarettes and other tobacco products in the state by not scheduling a hearing.

The bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this month. If passed, H.B. 551 would ban the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products beginning January 1, 2024.

Retailers found violating the standard will be fined at least $100 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for the second offense.

It’s the latest attempt to ban the sale of flavored tobacco in Hawaii. Last year, the Hawaiian legislature passed a flavor ban bill, but it was vetoed by the governor.

Not only will H.B. 551 not go forward, but S.B. 1447 will also be suspended, which would remove Hawaii’s existing preemptive purchase clause on tobacco regulations.

That would allow counties to enact stricter laws than state laws, a way to begin banning the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products.

S.B. 1447 has passed the Hawaii Senate and is moving forward in the Hawaii House of Representatives.

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