Sep. 27, 2016
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| Rep. Jeff Wheeland (R-Lycoming) spoke at a press conference this week involving small business owners and vapor product consumers in the State Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg. |
HARRISBURG – The House Finance Committee approved legislation authored by Rep. Jeff C. Wheeland (R-Lycoming) which would change the current 40 percent wholesale tax on electronic cigarettes and vapor products and replace it with a 5-cent-per-milliliter retail tax on the vapor liquid only, to stave off a massive loss of jobs in that industry. The bipartisan vote was 18 to 4.
“Many vapor business owners have already closed their doors because of this punitive tax and more are saying they will follow suit,” said Wheeland. “My legislation is modeled after laws implemented in Louisiana and North Carolina. It would still generate tax revenue but not cause these small businesses to close, resulting in a loss of jobs.”
Wheeland said
House Bill 2342, which has more than 50 bipartisan co-sponsors, would aid the more than 350 small businesses that operate in Pennsylvania selling vapor products that are seen as an alternative to smoking tobacco and help scale back the nicotine habit.
“I have heard from many residents who not only own these businesses, but from those who patronize them, all wanting this tax to be reformed,” said Wheeland. “I am hopeful this bill will get consideration in this fall session of the General Assembly.”
Wheeland spoke at a rally of vapor shop owners and consumers this week. Comments can be viewed at
RepWheeland.com.
The bill goes to the full House for consideration.
Representative Jeff C. Wheeland
83rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Raymond Smith
717.705.1834
rsmith@pahousegop.com
RepWheeland.com /
Facebook.com/RepWheeland