Interesting legislative news posted on over the past few days from the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Inc. (NATO)*. Below are some highlights of activity on state tobacco bills that pertain to the brothers & sisters of the leaf.
Legislative Action on State Tobacco Bills Recent action that has taken place on tobacco-related bills pending in state legislatures:
Colorado: Senate Bill 126, which modifies the definitions for “traditional large and premium cigars” to ensure that all traditional large and premium cigars are subject to the tobacco products excise tax of 40% of the manufacturer’s list price, failed in the House on April 3, 2018.
Hawaii: Senate Bill 2843, which, as amended in its entirety, effective July 1, 3000, increases the tax on cigarettes and little cigars from $3.20 to $4.50 per pack, the excise tax on OTP other than large cigars from 70% to 80% of the wholesale price, and the retailer license fee from $2.50 to $500.00, passed House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce with an amendment on March 20 and passed the House Committee on Finance with an amendment (not yet available) on April 4, 2018..
New York: Senate Bill 7509 (Governor’s budget bill—substituted for Assembly Bill 9509), which had included a new tax on vapor products at $.10 per fluid milliliter, was amended to remove the vapor tax and cigar related language. It passed out of committee, passed the Senate and passed the Assembly on March 30, 2018.
Wisconsin: Senate Bill 488, which allows the use of Tribal identification cards as proof of age for purchasing tobacco products, was signed by the Governor on April 3, 2018. The following bills died March 28, 2018 by missing a procedural deadline:
Assembly Bill 225, which prohibits self-service display of tobacco products except in age-restricted areas
Assembly Bill 413, which prohibits self-service displays of tobacco products except vending machines, stores receiving at least 90% of revenues from tobacco sales that prohibit minors from entering, and cigar rooms off-limits to minors
Senate Bill 307, which prohibits self-service displays of tobacco products except vending machines, stores receiving at least 75% of revenues from tobacco sales that prohibit minors from entering, and cigar rooms off-limits to minors.
Newly Introduced State Tobacco Bills
No new updates.
*NATO is a national trade association organized to enhance the common business interests of all tobacco retailers and to monitor and assist members in responding to tobacco-related legislation on the local, state and federal levels.