H.B. 657 Summary

• Impose an excise tax of $3.20 per ounce on all tobacco products except large cigars, effective January 1, 2014, based on the manufacturer's listed net weight.

• Replace the existing 70% wholesale price tax on tobacco products (other than large cigars) with the new per-ounce tax structure.

• Allocate revenues from the new tax as follows: 12% to Hawaii cancer research special fund, 9% to trauma system special fund, 8% to community health centers special fund, and 8% to emergency medical services special fund.

• Require the Department to provide annual accounting of tax dispositions to the legislature.

• Take effect July 1, 2013, with the new tax rate applying to products sold on and after January 1, 2014.