The proposed bill aims to enhance public health and safety by prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol cigarettes and entertainment vapor products, effective July 1, 2027. It mandates the Department of Health to develop a statewide prevention and awareness campaign about the health risks associated with these products and empowers the Liquor and Cannabis Board to enforce these regulations and impose penalties for violations. The bill also amends existing laws, including RCW 26.28.080, to clarify definitions and increase penalties for selling tobacco products to individuals under 21 years of age, while introducing new definitions for flavored tobacco and nicotine products, alternative nicotine products, and entertainment vapor products.

Additionally, the bill introduces a new section to the cigarette tax law, imposing an additional tax of $2 per package of cigarettes, with adjustments every three years based on the consumer price index starting in December 2028. It increases application and renewal fees for wholesaler and retailer licenses to $1,000 and establishes a bond requirement for wholesalers. The tax structure for vapor products is revised to 95 percent of the taxable sales price, with provisions for record-keeping and sharing information with other jurisdictions. The bill also outlines procedures for the seizure and forfeiture of tobacco products, allowing for their destruction or sale at public auction, and sets a future effective date of January 1, 2026, for certain provisions while repealing an existing section related to tobacco product tax payment verification.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 26.28.080, 43.06.455, 70.345.010, 70.155.090, 70.155.100, 70.345.030, 70.345.040, 70.345.050, 70.345.060, 70.345.020, 70.345.120, 70.345.180, 82.24.520, 82.24.530, 82.25.005, 69.50.101, 82.25.030, 82.25.095, 82.25.110, 82.26.010, 82.26.020, 82.26.030, 82.26.060, 82.26.160, 82.26.170, 82.26.190, 82.26.200, 82.26.240, 82.26.260