Higher Taxes on E-cigarettes Could Drive Youth to Traditional Smoking

Sep.05.2022
Higher Taxes on E-cigarettes Could Drive Youth to Traditional Smoking
A study by Yale School of Public Health shows higher taxes on e-cigarettes may lead young users to switch to traditional cigarettes.

According to international reports, a recent study by the Yale School of Public Health suggests that imposing higher taxes on electronic cigarettes may encourage young electronic cigarette users to switch to traditional cigarettes. Connecticut currently imposes a tax of $4.35 on a pack of cigarettes - the highest in the country - and a 10% wholesale tax on open-system electronic cigarettes.


Health economist Michael Pesko from Georgia State University and Abigail Friedman from Yale University co-authored this study. They expressed their hope to reduce taxes on e-cigarettes. Pesko made this statement during a Wednesday speech on Connecticut Public Radio. However, mental health experts warn that understanding and addressing the factors that lead young people to use e-cigarettes is critical.


Earlier this year, the Connecticut chapter of the American Pediatric Association testified in support of a ban on flavored e-cigarette products. According to the APA, data shows that 70% of teenage e-cigarette users cite flavor as their reason for usage. (This bill has failed to pass for the third consecutive year in Connecticut.) The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids reports that 27% of high school students in Connecticut use e-cigarettes.


Not only young people are using electronic cigarettes.


Gihan Samaranayaka, who works at an electronic cigarette shop in the capital of Connecticut, Hartford, says that older people are now coming in to purchase nicotine e-cigarettes with fruit juice flavors because they have been smoking for a long time.


Declaration/statement


This article contains excerpts or reprinted content from third-party sources, with copyright belonging to the original media outlet and author. If there is infringement, please contact us for removal. Any organization or individual who wishes to reproduce this content, please contact the author and do not reproduce it directly.



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.

FTC Scrutinizes Fifty Bar’s “Made in America” Claims as Vape Marketing Faces New Compliance Risk
FTC Scrutinizes Fifty Bar’s “Made in America” Claims as Vape Marketing Faces New Compliance Risk
The Federal Trade Commission sent a warning letter to Lucky Bar Holdings LLC over “Made in the USA” claims tied to Fifty Bar vape products, saying staff had reason to believe the products may be imported in whole or in significant part despite unqualified U.S.-origin marketing claims.
Jul.20
Product | RELX Partners With UK E-Liquid Brand T-Juice for Prime Pro × Red Astaire Bundle in France
Product | RELX Partners With UK E-Liquid Brand T-Juice for Prime Pro × Red Astaire Bundle in France
RELX and UK e-liquid brand T-Juice have launched the Prime Pro × Red Astaire bundle in France, combining the RELX Prime Pro open-system pod device with T-Juice’s signature Red Astaire nicotine salt e-liquid. The collaboration retains the existing Prime Pro hardware platform while using an established flavor brand to create a complete open-system offering. The product appeared in French retail and distribution channels in August 2026 and represents a co-branded retail bundle rather than a new device launch.
Aug.27
Special Report|South Korean Lawmaker Queries China Tobacco Regulator Over Synthetic Nicotine as Export-Rule Gaps Emerge
Special Report|South Korean Lawmaker Queries China Tobacco Regulator Over Synthetic Nicotine as Export-Rule Gaps Emerge
A South Korean lawmaker has asked China’s tobacco regulator to clarify rules for e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine amid questions over product declarations and possible tax losses. The dispute exposes gaps between Chinese export requirements and destination-market rules, while underscoring the global impact of China’s licensing and traceability policies.
Jul.10
Putin Signs Russia’s Tobacco and Nicotine Product Licensing Law, Banning Unlicensed Sales From 2027
Putin Signs Russia’s Tobacco and Nicotine Product Licensing Law, Banning Unlicensed Sales From 2027
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law introducing mandatory licensing for wholesale and retail trade in tobacco and nicotine-containing products, with the system taking effect on October 1, 2026, and unlicensed operations banned from March 1, 2027, while vape and e-liquid retail may also face uncertainty from temporary regional sales-ban powers.
Jul.01
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Sues Loon as State Enforcement Targets U.S. Vape Brand Operators
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Maduro Distributors, Inc., doing business as Loon, on July 15, 2026, alleging that the company illegally manufactured, distributed and sold flavored vapes that appeal to minors.
Jul.16
U.S. House Defense Bill Includes Pilot Review of Vapes, Nicotine Pouches and Heated Tobacco for Military Smokers
U.S. House Defense Bill Includes Pilot Review of Vapes, Nicotine Pouches and Heated Tobacco for Military Smokers
On July 23, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes Section 707 provisions requiring the Department of Defense to evaluate tobacco use and nicotine alternatives among military personnel. The pilot program would examine products including vapes, nicotine pouches and heated tobacco products, primarily among active-duty service members who continue using combustible tobacco. The provision is a policy evaluation effort, not an authorization for military vaping promotion or a ban on vape products.
Jul.28