HI SB2690

Increases the excise tax on cigarettes and little cigars effective January 1, 2017 (specific tax rate amount left blank in bill text).

Allocates portions of the new tax revenue to the Hawaii cancer research special fund, trauma system special fund, community health centers special fund, and emergency medical services special fund (specific cent amounts left blank in bill text).

Establishes a new allocation of tax revenue to the department of health chronic disease prevention and health promotion division for smoking cessation programs and education (specific amount left blank in bill text).

Notes that Hawaii tobacco use causes approximately 1,400 deaths per year and costs $526 million in direct health care expenditures annually, with research showing cigarette tax increases reduce smoking rates in adults and youth.

Effective date set for July 1, 2112 (appears to be a typographical error in the bill text).