HB 993 Summary

• Establishes the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products, making it a class C felony if tobacco products valued at $10,000 or more are shipped to unlicensed persons in Hawaii, and a misdemeanor for shipments under $10,000.

• Includes e-liquid and electronic smoking devices in the definition of "tobacco products" under Hawaii tax law, subjecting them to the excise tax on tobacco products and requiring retailers to obtain tobacco permits.

• Increases the wholesale dealer license fee for cigarettes and tobacco products from $2.50 to $250.

• Increases the retail tobacco permit fee from $20 to $50 annually, and requires applicants to specify whether each place of business sells e-liquid or electronic smoking devices.

• Repeals Chapter 28, Part XII and Section 245-17 of Hawaii Revised Statutes, which previously contained separate regulations for electronic smoking devices and delivery sales, effective January 1, 2022.