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Joint committees back cigarette-tax increase to boost UH Cancer Center funding
Summary
A joint hearing of Health and Human Services and Higher Education committees passed SB 15-28 to increase cigarette taxes and direct revenue to cancer research; the bill drew testimony from the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, public-health groups and industry, and the committees set an effective date per tax department implementation.
A joint hearing of the Senate Committees on Health and Human Services and on Higher Education advanced Senate Bill 15-28, a measure to increase the cigarette tax and direct additional revenue to the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center.
University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center director Dr. Ueno told the committees that increased funding would support clinical trials and research that keep patients in-state for care. "I support this bill because it is our we are here to make a difference for Hawaii and The Pacific," Ueno said.
The Department of Health recommended a larger increase than the bill proposes, saying from a public-health perspective a higher stamp would have greater prevention effects. The Department of Taxation asked that any tax increase be made effective Jan. 1 of the following year to allow time for administrative implementation. Public-health advocates urged an even larger increase; Kevin Ramirez of the Hawaii Public Health Institute recommended raising the tax by at least $1 per pack to maximize youth-prevention and cessation benefits.
Retail and tobacco-industry representatives registered opposition, noting economic impacts. The joint committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass with amendments and an effective date set to allow tax administration changes; the decision includes continued conversation about the final rate and implementation timing.
Next steps: The bill will proceed with the committee’s amendments and be included in the committee report; sponsors and tax officials will reconcile timing and rate details ahead of conference.
