Hawaii’s House of Representatives Passes Bill Banning Flavored Tobacco

A bill that would prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco products has passed the Hawaii State House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate for that chamber to debate.

The bill, HB 2457, focuses largely on the effects of e-cigarettes and vaping products, but would place a ban on the sale of all flavored tobacco products if passed. It would also make it illegal for a retailer to mislabel any e-liquid product that contains nicotine as being nicotine-free, as well as market, advertise, or promote any electronic smoking device in a manner that is designed to appeal to an individual under twenty-one years of age.

Retailers violating the ban would be subject to a fine of up to $500 for a first offense, and any agent or employee of the retailer who knowingly violates this section may also be fined up to $500. Any subsequent offenses shall subject the offender to a fine of no less than $500 nor more than $2,000.

The bill also would require the Department of Education to establish a safe harbor program by which persons under 21 years of age may dispose of electronic smoking devices in their possession, and would require public school teachers and educators to confiscate electronic smoking devices.

Should the bill pass the Senate and become law, it would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.