Democrat Reuven Carlyle (D) has introduced a bill to the Washington state legislature which would levy a 75% on e-cigarettes and other tobacco substitutes.
The original version of the bill called for a 95% tax, but a revision which passed through the House Finance Committee with a 7-6 vote lowered the proposed rate to 75%.
Bill 2795 would exempt e-cigarettes prescribed by doctors, but only if, and after, the FDA rules electronic cigarettes to be a smoking cessation aid.
Carlyle says the purpose of the bill is to “equalize taxes and mitigate negative effects,” despite the fact that negative health effects from electronic cigarettes have yet to be proven, and there is no logical reason why electronic cigarettes should have taxes “equalized” with cigarettes made from tobacco.
“An important part of the objective is to equalize taxes and mitigate negative effects of the product.”
–Rep. Reuven Carlisle
Presumably, the taxes on cigarettes are justified in large part due to the burden placed on taxpayers by the adverse effects of smoking. E-cigarettes have no such ill effects. By way of comparison, statistics from anti-tobacco activists Campaign from Tobacco Free Kids claim that approximately 7,300 people die from smoking in Washington annually, at cost to the state of $2.81 billion.
In contrast, the total deaths attributed to the use of electronic cigarettes is zero — not just in the state of Washington, but worldwide.
Clearly, lacking any logical justification for equalizing taxes between electronic cigarettes and those made from tobacco, one can only come to a single conclusion: Carlyle’s bill is a shameless cash grab at the expense of the vapers of Washington.
Legislature considers 75% tax on e-cigarettes | Northwest News | The Bellingham Herald.
Washington State Mulling 75% Tax on E-Cigs
