Lawmakers in Hawaii have proposed a 70% tax on e-cigarettes and e-liquid products, in a bid to tackle youth addiction to the devices. Currently, e-cigarettes in Hawaii carry a general excise tax ranging from 4.1% to 4.7%, but combustible cigarettes attract additional taxes. Rep. Scot Matayoshi, a leading sponsor of the bill, said he hoped the tax would reduce the negative health effects of nicotine addiction. However, opponents argue that raising prices could encourage smokers to stick to combustible products. A representative of e-cigarette seller VOLCANO called the 70% tax an “industry killer”.