Bill > HB156

This bill addresses tobacco regulation in Hawaii by repealing existing state law that previously prevented counties from creating their own local ordinances regarding the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices (vapes). The legislation acknowledges the significant youth nicotine addiction problem, with surveys showing that 30.6% of middle school and 48.3% of high school students have tried electronic smoking devices, and recognizes that tobacco companies spend millions marketing to young people. The bill allows counties to adopt their own ordinances regulating tobacco sales, as long as these local regulations are more stringent than state law and do not directly conflict with existing state regulations. By removing the previous preemption language, counties like Hawaii, Honolulu, and Maui can now implement local restrictions, such as prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products, which are particularly attractive to youth. The bill aims to create a more flexible regulatory system that enables local governments to quickly respond to tobacco companies' marketing strategies and protect their communities' health, with the changes set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=156&year=2026