SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington state will implement a 95% excise tax on all tobacco and nicotine products in 2026, creating significant financial challenges for local vape shops and expected price hikes for consumers.
Senate Bill 5814 originally targeted traditional tobacco products, but the Department of Revenue announced in November that the tax scope would expand to include any product containing nicotine, including synthetic tobacco used in vaping products.
Michael Blanton, owner of Lilac City Vapor in Spokane, faces substantial costs as he prepares for the tax implementation…