House panel OK’s tax hike on vaping, other tobacco products

FRANKFORT, Ky. – A bill to impose an excise tax on vaping products has cleared a Kentucky House committee.

The bill also would raise existing taxes on tobacco products other than cigarettes.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports the measure would raise nearly $50 million over two years.

The measure advances to the full House.

Representative Jerry Miller offered a compromise version Tuesday that would result in a smaller revenue gain for the state.

Health advocates hoped for more but spoke in favor of the compromise during a House budget committee meeting.