Advocacy Updates

By Lindsey Stroud: THR101.org Key Points: Legal Challenge Filed:  At least two petitions have been filed challenging the Washington Department of Revenue’s (DOR) interpretation of SB 5814, arguing the agency is unlawfully applying the 95 percent “Other Tobacco Products” (OTP) tax to vapor products – an interpretation the petitioner says renders the law unconstitutional. Legislative Intent Disputed:  SB 5814, passed late in the 2025 session to close a budget gap, expanded the

BY LINDSEY STROUD - info@thr101.org In 2023, 554,833 Washington adults (9 percent) were currently smoking. This is a 10 percent decrease from 2022 and represents 57,015 fewer adults smoking. Among all smoking adults in Washington in 2023, 5.1 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds, 9.9 percent of 25–44-year-olds, 11.7 percent of 45–64-year-olds, and 6.1 percent were 65 years or older. Among all adults earning $25,000 or less in 2023, 19.4 percent were currently smoking compared to 6

An unelected agency is about to devastate an entire industry—and they're doing it by misinterpreting a law that never mentioned vaping. Starting January 1, 2026, the Washington Department of Revenue plans to impose a steep 95% excise tax on nicotine-containing vapor products. If you're thinking, "Wait, didn't the legislature just pass a law about nicotine pouches?"—you'd be absolutely right. And that's exactly the problem. Senate Bill 5814 was meant to address only one thing:

On January 31st, the House Consumer Protection and Business Committee held hearings on two significant bills: HB 1203, which bans...

As discussions of HB 1534 heat up, examining the bill's intentions and the potential consequences of its proposed vapor registry...

WASHINGTON, USA — A statewide campaign called " Flavors Hook Kids Washington " aims to ban all flavored tobacco products. The effort...

The 105-day Washington state legislative session adjourned sine die late in the evening on April 23, 2023, completing its...

SB 5239 will give the Department of Health control over all vapor products manufacturers and sold in Washington, regardless of its status...

This is Clive Bates' response to the operational review of the performance of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products by the Reagan-Udall...

By Claudia Yaw Seattle Times staff reporter OLYMPIA — Lawmakers have backed down from their proposal to ban flavored vape products and...

FROM THE LA TIMES WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a last-minute plea from the tobacco industry and cleared the way for...