Advertisement
Over 1500 products tested and reviewed
December 10, 2021

Nicotine Tax Is Dead (For Now Anyway)

Vaping360 placeholder image
Jim McDonald

The nicotine tax that passed the House of Representatives as part of the Build Back Better Act has now been dropped from the version of the bill being considered in the Senate. But until the bill actually passes without the tax, it could be added again.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday evening that Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Finance Committee member, pushed for the tax to be deleted from the almost $2 trillion legislation. The nicotine tax would have provided about $9 billion in revenue over 10 years—essentially a drop in the bucket of revenue needed to fund the huge spending bill.

“I have been clear from the start of this process that I would not raise taxes on anyone making less than $400,000, and I would not support measures that hurt Nevada’s small businesses, farmers and ranchers, or the more than 30,000 men and women whose jobs are supported by the mining industry,” Sen. Cortez Masto said in a statement.

Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden confirmed Thursday that the tax had been dropped from discussions, according to Bloomberg Tax.

There is no federal tax on vaping products, although many states have vape taxes. The tax just dropped from the BBB bill is one of several “tobacco tax equity (or parity)” bills that have been proposed in recent years, supposedly intended to equalize tax rates on all consumer nicotine products.

During the BBB bill’s journey through congressional committees, members of Congress removed and then added back the nicotine tax. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that it could reappear still before the bill received a Senate vote. That’s why CASAA is urging vapers to continue educating lawmakers by participating in the group's call to action.

Advertisement

Read our previous coverage of this and other “tobacco tax equity” legislation

Advertisement
Vaping360 placeholder image

Jim McDonald

Vaping for: 13 years

Favorite products:

Favorite flavors: RY4-style tobaccos, fruits

Expertise in: Political and legal challenges, tobacco control haters, moral panics

Jim McDonald

Smokers created vaping without help from the tobacco industry or anti-smoking crusaders, and I believe vapers have the right to continue innovating to help themselves. My goal is to provide clear, honest information about the challenges vaping faces from lawmakers, regulators, and brokers of disinformation. I’m a member of the CASAA board, but my opinions aren’t necessarily CASAA’s, and vice versa. You can find me on Twitter @whycherrywhy

Related articles

Advertisement

Vaping360® is the world’s largest vaping media website with over 1 million monthly visitors.

Device Sponsor

This company provides products for our team to use and review, supporting our efforts to bring you the latest in vaping news and reviews.

Sponsored brands
footer illustration
© Vaping360, All Rights Reserved.