Interesting legislative news posted today from the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Inc. (NATO)*. Below are some highlights of activity on state tobacco bills that pertain to the brothers & sisters of the leaf.
Legislative Action on State Tobacco Bills Recent action that has taken place on tobacco-related bills pending in state legislatures:
New Jersey: Senate Bill 359, which raises the legal age to 21 for the purchase of tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems, passed the full Senate on May 26, 2016.
New York: Senate Bill 5221A, which prohibits the sale of discounted cigarettes and tobacco products (including electronic cigarettes), was amended and recommitted to the Senate Health Committee on May 20, 2016. Assembly Bill 5164B, which prohibits the sale of discounted cigarettes and tobacco products (including electronic cigarettes), was amended and recommitted to the Assembly Codes Committee on May 23, 2016.
West Virginia: Senate Bill 1005A, which raises the cigarette tax by $.45 per pack, the tax on other tobacco products by 5%, and creates an e-liquid tax of 7.5 cents per milliliter, passed the Senate on May 19, 2016, but failed to pass the House May 24, 2016.
Newly Introduced State Tobacco Bills The following bills were recently introduced in state legislatures:
Alaska: House Bill 4001(d) and Senate Bill 4001(d) increase the tax on cigarettes by $1.00 per pack, increase the tax on tobacco products from 75% to 100% of the wholesale price, and impose a tax on electronic cigarettes at 75% of the wholesale price.
*NATO is a national trade association organized to enhance the common business interests of all tobacco retailers and to monitor and assist members in responding to tobacco-related legislation on the local, state and federal levels.