Washington Failed in Flavored Vape Ban & Cigarette Tax Hike
Proposed ban on flavored tobacco/vapes and $2 cigarette tax increase stalls in Washington state legislature despite youth vaping concerns.
A significant legislative push in Washington state to ban all flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes and all flavored vapes, and to increase the state cigarette tax by $2 per pack, has failed to pass this year. Despite two attempts, the proposed bills did not advance out of committee, drawing criticism from a health-focused coalition that accused the Legislature of yielding to “Big Tobacco.”
The current state cigarette tax in Washington is $3.025 per pack, in addition to a $1.01 federal tax. Meanwhile, cigarette manufacturers like Altria, maker of Marlboro, have reportedly increased list prices despite declining consumption. Altria noted that its cigarette sales revenue was nearly flat year-over-year, though shipment volumes decreased.
The legislative focus on vapes, particularly flavored disposable products, was driven by concerns over youth vaping. Unlike California, which has banned flavored disposable vapes and menthol cigarettes, Washington state stores continue to widely sell these items. Brands like Elf Bar now dominate the disposable market, which absorbed demand after the FDA’s 2016 ban on flavored cartridge-based systems significantly impacted companies like JUUL. JUUL ceased selling its original vape sticks in 2023.
Altria estimates that 60% of the current vape market consists of flavored disposable vapes not authorized by the FDA. The FDA’s list of authorized vapes includes only specific Vuse, NJOY, and Logic products, none of which are single-use or flavored, according to the Public Health Law Center.
- News source: No cigarette tax increase this year, flavored vape ban fails in legislature in Washington state
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