FISCAL NOTE



FUND(S):

General Revenue Fund

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


The stated purpose of this bill is to prohibit the sale of candy or fruit-flavored cigarettes in this state. The passage of this bill may result in a minimal revenue loss to the General Revenue Fund. Sales of these cigarettes would be subject to the Cigarette Excise Tax and the Consumers Sales Tax. There would be no additional administrative costs to the Tax Department.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2005
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2006
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


The passage of this bill may result in a minimal revenue loss to the General Revenue Fund. Sales of these cigarettes would be subject to the Cigarette Excise Tax and the Consumers Sales Tax. There would be no additional administrative costs to the Tax Department.



Memorandum


The stated purpose of this bill is to prohibit the sale of candy or fruit-flavored cigarettes in this state. Fruit and candy-flavored tobacco cigarettes are legal tobacco products in the United States. There is a concern that prohibiting possession by any person of these tobacco products may be in violation of the Commerce Clause of the Constitution of the United States. Additionally, the bill states that the introduction of these tobacco products in this State will entice children to try smoking. West Virginia Code ยง16-9A-1 et seq. already contains considerable prohibitions relating to providing, giving or selling tobacco products to minors.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Mark Muchow
    Email Address: kpetry@tax.state.wv.us