HARRISBURG – State Reps. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) and Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield/Cambria) joined House Finance Committee members on both sides of the aisle Tuesday in advancing legislation that would replace the 40 percent wholesale tax on electronic cigarette and vapor products with a 5-cents-per-milliliter vapor products tax. House Bill 2342 may now be considered by the full House.
“Pennsylvania has approximately 350 small businesses dealing in vapor products and this tax threatens to close many of them,” Gabler said. “The result will be a loss of jobs to out-of-state internet outlets, as well as lack of access to a product many smokers have turned to as an alternative to conventional cigarettes.”
House Bill 2342 mirrors legislation already enacted in North Carolina and Louisiana.
“Closing of these shops impacts hard-working Pennsylvanians and their families, and will result in a loss of vital tax revenue at the state and local levels,” Sankey added.
“The tax on electronic cigarette and vapor products is scheduled to go into effect this Saturday, Oct. 1, and the sooner we can move this bill through the legislative process, the less punitive it will be.”
Questions about this or any legislative issue should contact Gabler at www.RepGabler.com or Sankey at www.RepSankey.com.
