American Vaping Association

Advocating for Tobacco Harm Reduction

For Immediate Release

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Contact: Gregory Conley

Tel: 609-947-8059

Email: gconley@vaping.org

For Immediate Release

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Gov. Kasich’s E-Cig Tax Hike Should Be Snuffed Out

Tax would kill jobs and discourage Ohio's 2,000,000-plus smokers from making a smarter choice

COLUMBUS, O.H. – Today, the American Vaping Association, a leading advocate for the benefits of vapor products such as electronic cigarettes, was joined by Ohio’s largest vapor manufacturer, Nicquid, in reacting to Ohio Governor John Kasich’s proposal to tax vapor products. Under Gov. Kasich’s proposed budget, as described in early press reports, tobacco-free vapor products would be classified as “other tobacco products” for tax purposes. Over a two year period, this brand new tax on vapor products would rise to 49% of wholesale price.
Gregory Conley, President of the American Vaping Association, issued the following statement:

“The Ohio Legislature should reject Gov. Kasich’s proposal to tax vapor products. Taxing a free market solution to the public health epidemic of smoking is neither good tax policy nor good health policy.

“Despite significant strides made in combating smoking in this country, two million-plus Ohio adults still smoke.  With real world studies showing that vapor products help adult smokers transition away from smoking, adding sin taxes on the sale of these products will cost lives.”

Scott Eley, executive and partner at the Miamisburg, Ohio-based e-liquid manufacturer Niquid, issued the following statement:

“Gov. Kasich’s new tax on vapor products will harm small businesses here in Ohio. This tax will cause increased business in Ohio’s border states, none of which have vapor product taxes. Ultimately, Ohio consumers seeking cost savings won’t be the only ones sending their money outside the state.  Enactment of this new tax will send Nicquid and its 60 Ohio jobs to a neighboring state like Kentucky.”
For more information on e-cigarettes and their efficacy for helping smokers kick the habit, please see these studies. (1, 2, 3, 4).

About the American Vaping Association

The American Vaping Association is a nonprofit organization that advocates for fair and sensible regulation of vapor products, otherwise known as electronic cigarettes, with the goal of maximizing the number of adult smokers who use these products to quit smoking. The AVA was founded by Gregory Conley, a consumer and industry advocate with a long track record of advocating for vapor products dating back to 2010.

We are dedicated to educating the public and government officials about public health benefits offered by vapor products, which are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine or nicotine-free solution and create an inhalable vapor.  The AVA is not a trade group and does not speak for any particular businesses, including our industry sponsors.

You can learn more about AVA and vaping by visiting the AVA website. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.