Another Bill to Ban Flavored Tobacco Products Introduced in WA

Democratic lawmakers in Washington state have introduced new legislation to the House and Senate that would ban flavored tobacco products and increase cigarette taxes. House Bill 2068, inspired by multiple studies revealing the overwhelming preference for flavored tobacco among middle and high school students, aims to address the growing concern over youth tobacco and vape use.

If passed, the ban on flavored tobacco products would take effect on July 1, 2027, while the proposed $2 per pack increase in cigarette taxes would begin on January 1, 2026. The first $5 million generated from the new cigarette tax would be allocated to preventing youth tobacco and vape use, with the remainder being deposited into the state’s general fund.

• Read more: Washington State Advances Bill to Ban Flavored Tobacco and Vape Products (HB 1203)

Currently, Washington has the eighth-highest tax on cigarettes in the United States, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The proposed legislation would further increase this tax, while the ban on flavored tobacco products would not include hookah and shisha tobacco.

A poll conducted by FM3 at the end of November found that 63% of 910 Washington voters support a ban on flavored tobacco products, while 33% oppose the idea, and 4% remain unsure. Andrew Estep, campaign manager of Flavors Hook Kids Washington, emphasized the importance of the ban, stating, “The tobacco industry is constantly finding ways to lure kids into becoming lifelong customers, and making their products taste like candy is nothing new. They added menthol decades ago to cigarettes to mask the harshness of tobacco. This relentless targeting of youth, Black and Brown communities, and other populations with flavored tobacco products has created a public health emergency unfolding right before our eyes.“

Many other states have already implemented varying degrees of restrictions on flavored tobacco sales. The House Finance Committee is expected to hold a hearing on the bill sometime in April.

• News source: Proposed ban on flavored tobacco products is revived in WA Legislature

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Matthew Ma

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With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.

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