Earlier this month, the Washington Senate passed a bill to levy taxes on e-cigarette products, allegedly designed to prevent young people from using e-cigarettes.
On April 23, the Senate passed the bill SB 5986 on the taxation of vapor-type electronic cigarettes by 35 votes to 13. Proponents of the bill claim that taxing vape devices is a good way to encourage people to make “healthy” choices. At the same time, it is expected that by 2025, this tax will bring in $40 million in revenue.
On the other hand, consistent with many public health experts, the lawmakers who opposed the bill said the bill did not take into account research showing that these devices are excellent smoking cessation tools. According to the Act, HnB products are also taxed like other tobacco products.
Bob Hasegawa, vice chairman of the Senate Majority Party Committee, said to his colleagues in the Senate: “I think the strategy we have adopted is completely wrong. “We know that e-cigarettes are a good choice, an effective choice…so, if you are trying to motivate good behavior through a tax policy, this is actually doing the opposite. ”
Although she eventually voted in favor, but co-founder and House Majority Assistant Speaker Patty Kuderer said she did not necessarily believe the way the bill was adopted. He said: “I don’t think that using the millimeter tax method can stop people from using it. I really think this is a product that should be taxed, but I think taxation should be used as a restraining factor.”
