STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3897

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1570

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1570, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE YOUTH VAPING EPIDEMIC,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Ban the sale of flavored tobacco products and mislabeled e-liquid products; and

(2) Establish fines.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, University of Hawai‘i Student Health Advisory Council, Hawai‘i State Teachers Association, Hawai‘i Association of Independent Schools, The Man Cave, Pediatric Therapies Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, Kaho‘omiki, Hawai‘i COPD Coalition, Ala Moana-Kaka‘ako Neighborhood Board No. 11, Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition, Hawai‘i Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association, Hawai‘i Dental Association, Opportunity Youth Action Hui, Hamakua Health Center, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Pop Warner Hamakua Cougars Football Team, Save Medicaid Hawai‘i, Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i Youth Council, seventy-one individuals, and a petition signed by one hundred fifty-eight principals and vice principals of various schools across the State within the Department of Education. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health; American Heart Association; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Consumer Choice Center; Americans for Tax Reform; Cigar Association of America, Inc.; Cigarettes and Things; Marukin Market; Hawai‘i Smokers Alliance; Retail Merchants of Hawai‘i; and thirty-seven individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Hawai‘i Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawai‘i Petroleum Marketers Association, AlohaCare, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Hawai‘i Food Industry Association, Hawai‘i Youth Services Network, and five individuals.

Your Committees find that the pervasive use of flavored tobacco products among youth has been proven to be the entry point for youth to start smoking and is causing the addiction of entire generations to harmful nicotine products. The use of e-smoking products among youth, especially in Hawai‘i, is at epidemic levels. Candy-flavored and menthol tobacco products mask the harsh flavor of tobacco and have been directly marketed by the tobacco companies to youth and people of color, which has resulted in significant health disparities and inequities in these communities across State. Studies have further shown that adolescence is a time of crucial brain development, and that nicotine exposure among young adults can cause significant harm. Your Committees therefore find that banning flavored tobacco products and synthetic nicotine products is imperative to protecting the health and well-being of the State's communities and youth.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1570, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair