HI HB156

Repeals Hawaii's state preemption law that previously blocked counties from enacting local ordinances regulating the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices

Authorizes counties to adopt their own tobacco sales regulations, provided the ordinances do not directly conflict with and are more stringent than state law under Chapter 328J

Amends Section 328J-11.5 to remove language stating state regulation of tobacco sales is "exclusive," replacing it with intent to regulate "uniformly to the extent reasonably possible"

Responds to rising youth vaping rates, citing 2019 data showing 30.6% of Hawaii middle school students and 48.3% of high school students have tried electronic smoking devices

Takes effect July 1, 2025