Health and environmental witnesses urge ban or controls on disposable e‑cigarette waste

Department of Health witness Lola Irvin described disposable e‑cigarettes as an environmental and safety hazard in testimony supporting HB2121 HD2. Irvin said devices can contain high nicotine loads, lithium‑ion batteries and non‑biodegradable components; she cited an example product marketed with "50,000 puffs" and explained the devices can cause fires and leach toxic chemicals into the environment.

A student from the Coalition for Tobacco Free Hawaii described the devices as cheap, easy to use and highly addictive for youth and urged the legislature to pass the bill. Public‑health witnesses said the devices contain multiple components that complicate recycling and pose risks to workers and waste facilities. The Hawaii Smokers Alliance registered opposition.

The committee noted the Attorney General's absence for questions and moved to decision making on HHS agenda items; the chair recommended passing HB2121 with a changed defective date and technical amendments. The committee recorded votes in favor and scheduled further action in the companion committee.