After Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 395 into law, e-cigarette consumers in California will pay more for their products next year.
The new law will impose a 12.5% consumption tax on the retail cost of e-cigarette products on the basis of the existing wholesale tax.
The new tax will take effect on July 1, 2022. It applies to all nicotine-containing e-cigarette products, including products purchased from online retailers in other states.
The bill was passed in the State House of Representatives on September 1, and passed in the Senate a day later. The governor who is in the election campaign for the recall is expected to be signed into law soon.
Californians have paid the highest e-cigarette tax in the country. The existing wholesale tax is recalculated annually by the State Equilibrium Commission based on a formula that reflects the total tax on all cigarettes. For the year starting from July 1, 2021, the wholesale tax on all nicotine-containing e-cigarette products is 63.49% of the wholesale cost.
Revenue from the new retail tax is distributed to several state funds, including 48% of the proceeds from Proposition 56 "Medical and Dental Loan Repayment Act."