HI HB1849

Changes the excise tax on large cigars from a flat rate of 50 cents per cigar to the lesser of 50 cents per cigar or a percentage of the wholesale price, effective July 1, 2014.

Adds a definition of "premium cigar" as hand-made cigars of all natural tobacco leaf with no filter or artificial flavors, wholesaling for $2 or more per cigar, weighing more than four pounds per thousand cigars, and exempt from tobacco tax provisions.

The premium cigar definition is temporary and repeals on July 1, 2018.

The overall tax changes take effect on July 1, 2030.