STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2646

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2222

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2222, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the sale or distribution of any flavored tobacco products, including menthol tobacco products, within the State.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Coalition for Tobacco-Free Hawaii and one hundred sixty-nine individuals.  Written comments in opposition were received from the Hawaii Food Industry Association, ABC Stores, Hawaii Smokers Alliance, Hawaii Royal Trading Company, Hawaii Island Cigars Inc., and eighteen individuals.  The Department of Health submitted written comments on the measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that flavored tobacco products, including menthol tobacco products, pose a substantial health risk to Hawaii's citizens, particularly children and teenagers.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Adding a definition for "distribute", "distributes", and "distribution";

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

 

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2222, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2222, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair