Bill > HB1116

This bill aims to address the public health concerns surrounding tobacco and electronic smoking devices by banning the sale of all flavored tobacco products and mislabeled e-liquid products in Hawaii starting July 1, 2026. The legislation defines "flavored tobacco products" broadly, including any tobacco product with a distinguishable taste, odor, or cooling/numbing sensation beyond traditional tobacco flavor, such as fruit, candy, menthol, or other enticing flavors. The bill prohibits retailers from selling these products and includes strict enforcement mechanisms, with potential fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 per offense and the ability for inspectors to seize and destroy non-compliant products. To support implementation, the bill establishes three new full-time equivalent positions within the Department of Health and appropriates $1,000,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The legislation is motivated by extensive research showing that flavored tobacco products, particularly those with menthol and appealing flavors, significantly contribute to youth tobacco initiation and addiction, with statistics indicating that 81% of youth who try tobacco start with flavored products. The bill also repeals a previous statute that limited local jurisdictions' ability to regulate tobacco sales, allowing counties to potentially implement even stricter regulations if desired.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1116&year=2026