STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1134-12

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2422

      S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2422, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to increase the excise tax on tobacco products, other than large cigars, to decrease the prevalence of tobacco consumption.

 

     The Department of Health, the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association in Hawaii, the Hawaii Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Coalition, and the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii supported this measure.  The American Heart Association supported the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii Bar Owners Association; Hawaii Cigar Association; Hawaii Smokers Alliance; the Cigar Association of America, Inc.; and several individuals opposed this measure.  The Department of Taxation and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii commented on this measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2422, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair