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Senate approves small vape tax to create $3 million pediatric cancer research fund
Summary
The Iowa Senate adopted SF 24-80, a measure to tax vaping and alternative nicotine products and direct the first $3 million to pediatric cancer research; an amendment tightened how revenue is counted and clarified that the initial $3 million is earmarked for research.
Senator Janelle Warmie, sponsor of SF 24-80, told the Iowa Senate the bill creates an ongoing $3 million appropriation for pediatric cancer research funded by a new tax on vaping and alternative nicotine products, saying the measure ‘‘is intended to remove barriers’’ to research funding and help families across the state.
The bill and its supporters framed it as a modest, targeted revenue source for pediatric research. Warmie said the tax would be applied to the total milliliters of solution containing nicotine and that the bill’s amendment clarifies ‘‘the first $3,000,000 that is raised through this tax goes directly to the pediatric cancer research.’’
The sponsor and backers acknowledged the levy is small and unlikely to deter youth vaping on its own. Senator Donahue noted that the 5-cent-per-cartridge level ‘‘is not gonna prevent people from picking up the habit’’ and pressed for future work to raise taxes to restore a cigarette-tax-level deterrent. Senator Kornbach, referencing past tobacco-tax increases, argued for stronger deterrent pricing but said the $3 million for research ‘‘is fine’’ and that the proposal is nonetheless a step forward.
Senator Dotzler, a long-time John Deere employee, and Senator Evans, who described a personal family connection to childhood cancer, each spoke in support of the bill’s research focus. Warmie said Legislative Services and industry data led to an estimated $15–$18 million in first-year collections used to justify the funding mechanism.
An amendment (Senate Amendment 52-01) was called and adopted; it (a) specifies that the first $3,000,000 collected will go directly to pediatric cancer research and (b) clarifies that the taxable base is the full milliliters of nicotine-containing solution. The amendment was moved and the Senate voted to adopt it before passing the bill.
The sponsor moved for final passage; the Senate read the bill for the last time and recorded a roll call. The bill passed and the title was agreed to. The Senate then ordered the bill immediately messaged to the House.
What happens next: The bill passed the Senate and will be transmitted to the other chamber; supporters said they are willing to pursue further tax increases or prevention measures in future sessions.
