Hawaii committee backs tougher limits on disposable e-cigarettes after broad testimony on youth vaping and battery fires

The House Committee on Health voted to advance SB 2175, a bill to restrict the sale of disposable electronic smoking devices, after extended testimony from health officials, youth advocates, educators and retail representatives.

Proponents told the committee the measure is a response to a youth vaping crisis and environmental hazards. "Disposable e-cigarettes are especially popular because they're cheap, easy to use, and highly addictive," said Gregory Cachero of the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii. Kevin Ramirez of the Department of Health-aligned Coalition urged amendments to broaden the bill's definition to capture devices that are non-refillable or have rechargeable batteries.

Clinicians and educators described classroom disruption and safety incidents. "Addicted students suffer from profoundly short attention spans," said retired educator Laverne Moore, who urged removing exemptions and closing definitional loopholes. Testimony also cited waste and battery risks: advocates pointed to H-POWER reports of fires and described lithium-ion batteries in disposable vapes as a public-safety hazard.

Retail groups opposed a full ban, urging stronger enforcement of the state's age-21 sales restriction and concern that an outright ban could push sales to illicit channels and harm compliant small retailers. "If youth access remains high, enforcement of existing law should be the priority," said Dave Erdman of Retail Merchants of Hawaii.

Committee leaders said they will replace the Senate draft with the House version (HB 2121) and include Department of Health amendments addressing rechargeable batteries. Representative Garcia recorded a reservation, noting that some adult smokers use certain devices as a less harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes and urging access to cessation resources.

The committee recorded its recommendation to pass SB 2175 with amendments; the measure now moves forward as a House draft. The committee noted written testimony from dozens of supporting organizations and a small number of opposing statements. The report language will reflect the adopted substitution and the DOH amendment.