Gov. Kathy Hochul’s plan to tax tobacco-free nicotine pouches at the same rate as combustible cigarettes faces widespread opposition and warnings from public health advocates.
Read moreTag Archive for: Tobacco Tax
The Cypriot EU Council Presidency has submitted a compromise draft for the revised EU Tobacco Tax Directive, targeting consensus among the Twenty-Seven. The proposal expands taxation to vapes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches while introducing transitional periods and lower minimum levies to mitigate black market threats across vulnerable member states like Spain.
Read moreLaw enforcement and business coalitions warn that taxing products like Zyn at cigarette rates will only fuel New York’s already massive illicit tobacco market.
Read moreWashington state lawmakers are advancing Senate Bill 6129, a pivotal piece of legislation that would mark the first cigarette tax increase in 16 years. Approved by the Senate in a 26-22 vote, the bill proposes raising the cigarette tax by approximately $1.97 per pack. Crucially, it also targets the vaping sector with a parallel tax hike, including an additional 10% levy on flavored products, aiming to curb youth addiction and generate public health revenue.
Read moreThe European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) issued a formal opinion on February 18, warning that abrupt increases in tobacco taxation could inadvertently fuel the illicit trade. Analyzing the European Commission’s July 2025 directive review, the advisory body argues that excessive levies undermine fiscal revenue and public health goals. The EESC advocates for a “proportionate and gradual” reform that distinguishes between combustible tobacco and non-combustible products like vapers.
Read moreA coalition of business leaders and retired law enforcement officials has launched a fierce protest against Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed 75% wholesale tax on nicotine pouches like ZYN and VELO. Critics, labeling the measure the “Bro Tax,” argue that aligning pouch taxation with cigarettes will fuel organized crime and disproportionately penalize low-income residents. The state projects the levy will generate $57 million annually by 2030, earmarking funds for healthcare initiatives.
Read moreGovernor Gretchen Whitmer’s latest budget proposal includes a 50% increase in the cigarette excise tax, raising the rate from $2 to $3 per pack. The plan also introduces a new 57% tax on the wholesale price of vaping products. Economic models predict this fiscal policy will drive Michigan’s illicit tobacco trade rate from 14% to 22%, incentivizing cross-border trafficking.
Read moreDelaware Governor Matt Meyer is advancing a revised fiscal strategy, pivoting from stalled income tax brackets to aggressively increasing tobacco and vape levies. The proposed 100% tax hike on e-liquids (from $0.05 to $0.10 per milliliter) aims to generate $18.9 million in state revenue while establishing critical financial disincentives to improve local community health outcomes.
Read moreIowa Governor Kim Reynolds has introduced a bill to significantly raise taxes on cigarettes, tobacco, vapes, and consumable hemp products. This legislative push aims to address Iowa’s alarming status as having the second-highest cancer rate in the nation by discouraging unhealthy behaviors and aligning state tax rates with national averages.
Key Takeaways:
- Cigarette Tax: Proposed increase from $1.36 to $2.01 per pack.
- New Levies: 15% retail tax on vapes and consumable hemp; 10% wholesale hike on other tobacco.
- Health Crisis: Iowa ranks 2nd in the U.S. for new cancer cases.
- Broader Strategy: Includes school food reforms and obesity reduction initiatives.
Governor Kim Reynolds has confirmed a proposal to increase taxes on tobacco and introduce new levies on vaping and hemp products. This development occurs amidst findings that Iowa has the second-highest rate of new cancer cases in the U.S., directly resulting in a legislative push to curb consumption and improve public health.
Tax Hikes Targeting Tobacco and Vapes
In a bid to promote healthier lifestyles, Governor Reynolds is sponsoring legislation that would mark the first increase in Iowa’s tobacco tax since 2007. The bill targets a broad range of nicotine and hemp products:
| Product Category | Current Tax | Proposed New Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes (per pack) | $1.36 | $2.01 (National Average) |
| Vaping Products | Varies | 15% of Retail Cost |
| Consumable Hemp | Varies | 15% of Retail Cost |
| Other Tobacco Products | Existing rates | 10% Increase (Wholesale Cost) |
The Cancer Connection: Why Now?
The urgency behind this bill stems from a comprehensive study by the University of Iowa College of Public Health and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Preliminary findings revealed that in 2022, an estimated 2,582 more Iowans were diagnosed with cancer than expected based on national averages.
The study highlighted that Iowans rank highly for risk factors such as binge drinking, obesity, and low vegetable consumption compared to neighboring states. Lung cancer remains a particular concern, with higher rates of late-stage diagnosis and mortality. “Our numbers, they’re not acceptable,” Reynolds stated. “We have to be better.”
- Initial findings are available at hhs.iowa.gov/health-prevention/cancer.
A broad coalition of Utah leaders and health organizations has rallied behind H.B. 337, a legislative push to modernize the state’s nicotine tax structure. The “Nicotine Product Tax Amendments” bill aims to apply the same fiscal pressure to vapes and modern nicotine products that successfully reduced traditional smoking rates. Backed by Congresswoman Celeste Maloy and groups ranging from the American Cancer Society to the Utah Eagle Forum, the legislation positions price increases as a primary tool to prevent youth addiction and save the state millions in Medicaid costs.
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