Nixon snuffs out e-cigarette legislation

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has vetoed a bill that would have exempted e-cigarettes from some state laws, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.

The law would have banned the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and subjected e-cigarette companies to local and state sales tax.

The law would also have prevented e-cigarettes from being taxed and regulated as a tobacco product

“This bill appears to be nothing more than a thinly disguised and cynical attempt to exempt e-cigarettes from taxes and regulations protecting public health,” Nixon said in a statement.

The Kansas City Business Journal reports the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association favors the bill, saying consumers use e-cigarettes to reduce tobacco reliance. The organization says that subjecting these companies to stiff tobacco taxes would burden business owners.

The Missouri Department of Revenue collects taxes on cigarettes at 17 cents per pack of 20 or 21.25 cents per pack of 25. Other tobacco products are taxed at 10 percent of the manufacturer’s invoiced price before any other discounts.

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