OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Lawmakers in some states are pushing to tax electronic cigarettes. The relatively new industry is growing in popularity.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has proposed a tax on e-cigarettes that would raise about $35 million for his state. Though no tax exists yet in the metro, a shop owner in Kansas says a tax on the devices would be unfair.
E-cigarettes, or personal vaporizers, have become increasingly popular in the last decade since first introduced to this generation by a Chinese scientist. Makers of traditional cigarettes, law makers, and the health care industry are all keeping a close eye on these devices.
Patrick Rives manages Kansas City Vapes. The Overland Park shop specializes in electronic cigarettes.
“There’s not really any reason to tax on it. I think it’s because it’s a new industry, maybe they’re trying to get a piece of that,” said Rives.
The store has been open nearly a year and Rives says business is booming. He believes new taxes wouldn’t affect just the business.
“When people are trying to use a healthier lifestyle, if you make it insanely expensive, then they’re going to turn to something else that’s unhealthy,” continued Rives.
Rich Greenhagen started vaping about six months ago. He was smoking about a pack a day before that.
“I notice I breathe easier. I don’t cough as much,” said Greenhagen.
He says he feels better and he’s saving money, but understands why some are unsure about vaping.
“It doesn’t seem like it’s necessarily safer or healthier because you’re still putting something unnatural in your body,” continued Greenhagen.
Greenhagen says, if a tax was put into place, he wouldn’t stop vaping to return to smoking.
“It is unfortunate, but at the same time, that’s the society that we live in where if somebody can make extra money off something that is profiting, they’re going to find a way to,” he said.
Starting in July, it will be illegal for retailers like Kansas City Vapes to sell e-cigarettes to minors in the state of Kansas. The Federal Drug Administration said it intends to regulate e-cigarettes just like it regulates normal cigarettes, which leaves them wide open to being taxed in any state.
Click here to learn more about health and safety issues surrounding electronic cigarettes.
Click here to learn more about the possible tax on electronic cigarettes in New Jersey.
