Bill > HB1117

This bill seeks to repeal Section 328J-11.5 of Hawaii Revised Statutes, which previously established a statewide uniform approach to regulating the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes). The bill aims to restore counties' authority to adopt their own, potentially more stringent local ordinances regulating the sale of these products. The legislative findings highlight a significant youth vaping problem in Hawaii, with surveys showing that 32% of public high school students and 13% of middle school students have tried e-cigarettes, and the nicotine content in these products has dramatically increased over recent years. The bill argues that the previous statewide preemption law prevented local governments from quickly responding to the evolving tobacco industry's marketing tactics, particularly those targeting youth. By repealing the preemption statute, the bill allows counties more flexibility to implement local restrictions on the sale of tobacco and vaping products, enabling a more collaborative and responsive approach to addressing public health concerns related to tobacco and nicotine use among young people.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1117&year=2026