Bill > SB2509

This bill aims to clarify and restore local authority in regulating the sale of tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices (often called vapes or e-cigarettes), by repealing a state law that previously preempted, or overrode, all local ordinances on the matter. The bill amends existing state law to state that while sales of these products are a statewide concern, the state intends to regulate them uniformly "to the extent reasonably possible," and it explicitly removes the previous blanket preemption of local laws. Essentially, counties will now be able to enact their own ordinances to regulate the sale of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices, as long as these local rules do not directly conflict with state law and are actually more stringent than the state's regulations, allowing local governments to implement stronger protections for their communities.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2509&year=2026