STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2621

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 3179
                                        




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred
S.B. No. 3179 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TOBACCO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit in Hawaii the
sale of export cigarettes intended for foreign purchase and
consumption.

     Currently, export cigarettes are being sold in Hawaii at
below market prices and tobacco taxes are being evaded.  This
measure makes it illegal to conduct sales transactions of export
cigarettes.  Your Committee is in agreement that this measure
will level the playing field among cigarette merchants, protect
consumers against inadequate package warnings and labels, and
stem the loss of tobacco tax revenues.

     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. 3179 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.


 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2621
                                   Page 2


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



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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