Hawaii Passes E-Cigarette Tobacco Tax Amendment

Jun.07.2023
Hawaii Passes E-Cigarette Tobacco Tax Amendment
Hawaii Governor signs bill to classify e-cigarettes and e-cigarette liquids as tobacco products, subject to the same taxes and regulations.

On June 7th, local time in Hawaii, Governor Josh Green signed an amendment to the Tobacco and Cigarette Tax Law, which revises the definition of "tobacco products" to include electronic cigarettes and e-liquids. The amendment was officially announced on Governor Green's website.

 

Currently, tobacco and snuff products in Hawaii are subject to a state consumption tax of 70% of the wholesale price, as well as federal consumer taxes. This legislative amendment will include electronic cigarettes and e-liquids in the definition of "tobacco products," subjecting them to tobacco taxes and laws. This means that electronic cigarette products will be subject to the same tax standards as traditional tobacco products like cigarettes. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2024.

 

Additionally, the bill proposes an increase in license fees for distributors and retailers of cigarettes and tobacco products.

 

Governor Green stated:

 

"This legislation has been under discussion for many years. I commend the Ministry of Health and all advocates, including youth advocates, for their successful efforts to promote this matter."

 

Representative Scott Matayoshi stated:

 

"S.B. 975 is an important bill in our fight against vaping and e-cigarette use, which will ultimately save many people from the harmful effects of tobacco products."

 

Reference(s):

 

Governor Green has signed legislation aimed at protecting children by prohibiting the use of vaping products.

 


Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise
South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise
Data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) showed South Korea’s conventional cigarette smoking rate fell to 17.9% in 2025, while heated tobacco and liquid e-cigarette use continued to rise, particularly among young adults and women.
Jun.01
Haypp Report Shows Nicotine Pouches Gaining Ground as a Vape Alternative in the UK
Haypp Report Shows Nicotine Pouches Gaining Ground as a Vape Alternative in the UK
According to Haypp’s 2026 UK Nicotine Report, nicotine pouches are increasingly replacing both cigarettes and vaping. The UK market grew sharply, with Haypp and Northerner reporting a 60% year‑on‑year sales increase in 2025. Notably, 40% of users adopted pouches to quit vaping, nearly matching the 43% who used them to stop smoking. This indicates pouches are expanding beyond traditional smoking cessation and gaining traction among adults seeking non‑inhalable nicotine alternatives.
Jul.01
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Illicit Vape and Nicotine Pouch Seizures Concentrated in UK Hotspots, New Data Shows
Freedom of Information (FOI) data from the UK shows that more than 3,000 seizures of illegal nicotine products were recorded in the 2024/25 financial year, with Hull, Liverpool and Bolton emerging as the most active enforcement hotspots — highlighting that the problem of illicit vapes, nicotine pouches and smokeless tobacco products persists across many parts of the country.
Jun.16
From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
From myblu to Zone: Imperial Brands Refocuses NGP Strategy in HY26
mperial Brands’ HY26 results point to a more selective NGP transition. The company is using cash flow from traditional tobacco to fund targeted investments in modern oral nicotine, heated tobacco and reusable vaping systems. Its decision to exit the legacy myblu vaping business in the U.S., while expanding Zone nicotine pouches. In Europe, Imperial’s NGP growth is being driven by a multi-category portfolio including blu, Pulze and Zone/Skruf.
Special Report
May.12
France Bans Zyn and Other Nicotine Pouches, Violators Face Jail and Fines
France Bans Zyn and Other Nicotine Pouches, Violators Face Jail and Fines
France has officially banned nicotine pouches and other oral nicotine products, including Zyn. The new regulation classifies such products as “toxic substances” and imposes criminal penalties on their use, possession, purchase, and sale. Violators may face up to five years in prison and fines of up to €400,000 (approximately $436,600).
Regulations
May.25
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
From Heating Blades to Heating Paper? CTHB Patent Points to Microwave Heated Tobacco Design
According to China’s patent office records, a patent owned by China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Corporation (CTHB) for “cigarette paper and a cigarette for microwave heating” was granted on May 19, 2026. The patent describes cigarette paper with an outer wrapping layer, a heating layer, and an isolation heat-conducting layer, allowing it to absorb microwave energy, convert it to heat, and transfer that heat to the aerosol-generating substrate.
Jun.10