4 February 2026
By Arshi Qureshi – The Sun
A NEWLY proposed law could make smoking so expensive people will be forced to put down cigarettes for good.
Lawmakers are fighting to pile on fresh taxes that could jack the price of a pack in some cities up to $17.
House Bill 2382 would slap an extra $2 tax on cigarettes in Washington.
If it passes, smokers would pay more than $5 in taxes per pack in the state that already charges $3 per.
In Seattle, a pack costs about $15, and the added tax could drive it up to $17, according to Fox affiliate KCPQ.
The proposal would also hit other nicotine products, including vapes, cigars, and dip.
Representative Lisa Parshley, the bill’s sponsor, insisted the goal isn’t punishment.
“This bill’s not trying to penalize anyone. It’s trying to help us make sure that we take care of all of our communities in Washington, supporting our general fund, and those impacted by these products,” she said.
Supporters say the higher tax would raise millions of dollars each year for the state.
The first $10 million a year would go to the Department of Health.
The next $2 million a year would go to the Liquor and Cannabis Board.
Any remaining revenue would be steered to the state’s general fund.
“In this time when we’ve got a budget issue, we’ve got impacts from HR1. This is a very important revenue,” Parshley said.
At a public hearing in Olympia, residents described the damage cigaretteshave done in their own lives.
“Once youth are hooked on to nicotine by way of flavored tobacco, many also turn to cigarettes. My childhood best friend didn’t need cheap and easy access to cigarettes. What she needed was support, treatment and a way out,” said Suhani Singh.
Critics warned a jump in cigarette prices could hammer small businesses.
“Small stores are already struggling. Family-run businesses feel every cost increase, even small ones.
We’re dealing with raising expenses, dramatically increasing rents, more theft, tighter profit margins, and another tax increase could push more stores to close,” said Yujin Ghim, with the Washington Korean American Grocers Association.
The American Cancer Society has been pushing for the tax and says a $4-per-pack increase would keep nearly 6,000 kids from becoming adult smokers and help more than 20,000 adults quit.
HB 2382 is set for more debate this Friday.
If approved, the new tax would kick in this summer.