US
Hawaii is contemplating a new ban on flavored electronic cigarette liquids and flavored tobacco. It would be the first state to adopt such a ban under a bill before the Legislature.
A few months ago Hawaii was also considering a bill that would eventually ban cigarette sales to anyone under the age of 100.
The new proposal would ban flavored e-cigarette liquids such as Maui Mango and Cookie Monsta, along with cloves and other flavored tobacco products, but it would exempt menthol cigarettes and vaping liquids.
Reports say a House committee exempted menthol from the bill because prohibiting the flavor could jeopardize the tax revenue the state brings in from menthol cigarettes. John Mizuno, chairman of the House Health Committee, said the state’s tax on cigarettes, flavored and non-flavored, provides US$15 million annually to a cancer research center, US$8 million to ambulance services, US$8 million to community health centers, and US$8 million to a hospital trauma center.
Sen. Roz Baker, his Senate counterpart, said she opposes that change.