OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington state lawmakers are considering a bill to raise taxes on tobacco products statewide. The proposal includes increasing the cigarette tax and restructuring the tax on vapor and other tobacco products.
The bill proposes raising the cigarette tax by $2 per pack, resulting in a total of $5.02. Additionally, the vapor products tax would shift to 95% of the sales price, replacing the current milliliter tax. The cap on cigars would increase to 85 cents each.
Representative Lisa Parshley of the 22nd District explained the bill’s intentions.
“This bill is not trying to penalize anyone. It’s trying to help us make sure we can take care of all of our communities in Washington, supporting our general fund and those impacted by these products,” Parshley said.
The bill also aims to support a time-sensitive emergency system managed by the Department of Health. Peter Clodfelter, Counsel at the House Office of Program Research, explained the allocation of funds.
“From this additional amount of the cigarette tax, the bill would direct the first 10 million per year to a new appropriated account, the time-sensitive emergency system account. This would be used by the Department of Health to fund time-sensitive emergency systems, including for heart attack, cardiac arrest and stroke, and activities under the statewide emergency medical services and trauma care system act,” Clodfelter said.
If approved, the changes are set to take effect on July 1.
