STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3119

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2903

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2903, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FLAVORED TOBACCO PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the sale or distribution of flavored tobacco products in the State.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health; John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii; Hana High and Elementary School; Kauai High Student Council; AAUW of Hawaii; American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; American Heart Association; American Lung Association in Hawaii; Blue Zones Project-Hawaii; Filipina Advocacy Network FAN; Flavors Hook Kids Hawaii Campaign; Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park; Get Fit Kauai; Hawaii - American Nurses Association; Hawaii Association of Independent Schools; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Community Foundation; Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association; Hawaii Pacific Health; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Hawaii Public Health Institute; Hawaii State Teachers Association; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Hawaii Youth Services Network; Hui No Ke Ola Pono; Kaiser Permanente; Kahoomiki; Hawaii Council on Physical Activity and Nutrition; Man Cave; Maui Preparatory Academy; Peer Education; Pono Hawaii Initiative; West Hawaii Community Health Center; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Hawaii Petroleum Marketers Association, Hawaii Smokers Alliance, Irie Hawaii Stores, VOLCANO eCigs, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Aiea High School Peer Education Program and Hawaii Food Industry Association.

Your Committee finds that an increasing number of scientific studies have documented that flavors added to tobacco products increase their appeal to youths and are a major factor in youth use of tobacco. It is well-documented that added flavors facilitate youth initiation of tobacco use, which can expose the developing brain and body to the harmful and addictive effects of nicotine. Your Committee finds that this measure is needed to protect Hawaii's youth from a lifelong addiction to tobacco.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2903, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2903, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair