Hawaii Flavored Tobacco Bill Rejected in State Senate

According to KITV, Hawaii lawmakers had until Thursday to schedule a hearing on HB 551; however, the bill failed to pass a vote in a Hawaii Senate committee, which means it will not move forward. If passed, H.B. 551 would have banned the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, and would have taken effect on January 1, 2024. Retailers found in violation of the standards would face fines of at least $100 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations.

This is Hawaii’s latest attempt to ban flavored tobacco sales. Last year, the Hawaii legislature passed an anti-tobacco bill, but it was vetoed by the governor.

Although H.B. 551 will not move forward, there is another bill, S.B. 1447, which would remove Hawaii’s current exemption provisions regarding tobacco regulations. This is one way to begin banning the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products.

The S.B. 1447 bill has already passed the Hawaii Senate and is moving forward in the Hawaii House of Representatives.