The following is a summary of recent action that has taken place on tobacco-related bills pending in state legislatures:

Alaska: The following bills were left pending after the legislature adjourned its special session on July 18th: House Bill 5002e, Senate Bill 5002e, and Senate Bill 4001d, all of which proposed to increase the tax on cigarettes by $1.00 per pack, increase the tax on tobacco products from 75% to 100% of the wholesale price, and impose a tax on electronic cigarettes at 75% of the wholesale price. Governor Bill Walker stated last week that budget reforms would likely have to wait until after the general elections in November.

Pennsylvania: House Bill 1605, which includes an increase in the retail cigarette minimum price mark up from 6% to7%, passed the House and Senate and was signed by the Governor on July 13, 2016. The new law takes effect immediately.