Pa. legislator working on bill in response to tax hike on vape shops' inventory

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — A new law aimed at vape shop owners could put many of them out of business in the coming months as a tax hike on their inventory takes effect.

However, one state legislator is working on a bill to save them from closing their doors for good.

The “Save the Vape Shop Movement” has sprung up in Verona and may other towns in Western Pennsylvania. Vape shop owners are bracing for the worst come October when the state’s 40 percent tax on their current and future inventory. The tax was passed as part of the $1.3 billion bailout package to solve the state’s budget deficit.

According to published reports, the tax has put 300 vape shops in Pennsylvania in danger of closing.

When asked for an explanation of the tax, Gov. Tom Wolf’s office responded with a statement that read, in part:

Vape shop owners told Channel 11 News that if Wolf was really concerned about businesses being able to grow then the tax would not be so high. Some said they feel their industry is being targeted.

“We’re not multibillion-dollar tobacco outfits. We’re small business owners out to help people,” Jimmy Anker, owner of Wicker Vape, said.

Leslie Wareham, who said she couldn’t stop smoking cigarettes until she tried vaping, told Channel 11 News that the tax will only hurt the state.

“It’s going to crush local businesses. It’s going to crush the small business owner and the vape community. I mean, who would afford that?” she said.

State Rep. Jeff Wheeland said he is working on a different proposal. His legislation would replace the overall tax hike with a tax per milliliter, charging customers 5 cents per milliliter of e-liquid and not just for vape products.

According to

, Wheeland’s proposal is similar to current legislation in North Carolina and Louisiana.

reported that Wheeland plans to introduce his legislation when lawmakers return to Harrisburg this fall.

Cox Media Group