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Panel weighs $2-per-pack cigarette tax and 95% vapor tax in bid to fund health programs
Summary
HB 2382 would raise the cigarette tax by $2 per pack, restructure the vapor-products tax to 95% of retail price, and direct initial revenue to emergency medical systems and enforcement before supporting foundational public‑health services. Public‑health groups strongly supported the bill; retailers and small‑store owners warned of regressivity and illicit markets.
Committee staff briefed House Finance on HB 2,382, which would raise Washington's cigarette excise tax by $2 per pack (from about $3.025 to $5.025 per pack), change the vapor‑products tax from a milliliter basis to a 95% ad valorem tax on taxable sales effective July 1, 2026, increase some other tobacco product caps and direct revenue to specified accounts. Staff said the bill would direct the first $10 million per year from the cigarette increase to a new Time Sensitive Emergency System account for cardiac, stroke and similar services, $2 million per year to a…
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