Public Comments

1. Please do not increase funding for charter schools. Our public schools are deserving of greater funds and as a tax paying citizen I’d like my hard earned dollars going to them.

Dear Members of the West Virginia House Health & Human Resources Committee,

As the CEO of the Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors, I unequivocally support House Bill 5437,

Creating E-cigarette and E-cigarette Liquid Directory, currently under consideration. This legislation

represents a vital step towards ensuring the safety and integrity of the vapor product industry, and we

believe it is imperative for the well-being of our communities.

The Southern is an over 100-year-old association whose members face common challenges in the

southeast. Many members of the SAWD are family-owned multigenerational businesses that have served

their communities for decades.

By establishing a centralized database of vapor products sold in West Virginia, this legislation will enable

authorities to identify and track bad actors who seek to profit from the sale of illegal and potentially

harmful products. The state of West Virginia must hold retailers and vape shops accountable and ensure

they are selling legal, regulated products.

The supply of illegal Chinese-flavored disposable vapes flooding the market poses a significant threat to

public health and safety. These unregulated products often contain undisclosed ingredients and target our

youth with their enticing flavors and colorful packaging. House Bill 5437 will empower law enforcement

agencies to identify and remove these illegal products from circulation, protecting consumers from

potential harm.

House Bill 5437 represents a critical opportunity to address the pressing public health concerns associated

with youth vaping and the proliferation of illegal vaping products. As responsible stakeholders in the vapor

product industry, the Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors urges policymakers to prioritize the

passage and implementation of this important legislation. Together, we can protect our communities and

safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens.

Sincerely,

VJ Mayor, CAE

vjmayor@asginfo.net

CEO, Southern Association of Wholesale Distributors  

No, just no

This should be common sense, make it so

Hard no from me. Ireland is not the Ireland we used to know. It is ran by the woke who are destroying their own culture with islam.

How about getting rid of property  tax? I live in Hinton, on the Raleigh county side in the New River Parkway. We can't get police when called, our road does not get snow removal for up to a week, yet my property tax in 1 year has risen 400.00 on my house that I own. This is basically paying rent on something I own. Our forefathers would be shaking their heads.

I'm sorry. I missed the part where your list of committees and involvement carried over to law enforcement & first responders with regard to distancing of others. Scratching backs. ALSO, in case you were unaware, status does not keep you from being eyed by a specific group of people cosplaying as law enforcement. You should search the origins of that last name. Maybe watch a video from Minneapolis. Like the ones where kids are running from the cosplayers JUST TO GET TO SCHOOL. Or the one where they arrest their own because HE IS HISPANIC. Or because of a man's HISPANIC ACCENT. MAYBE soul search why you're a politician.

Hello,

My name is Tyler Harto, and I am the Owner and Operator of Living My Best Cigar Life – Moundsville, LLC. I also consult for Living My Best Cigar Life in Wheeling. I am writing to respectfully ask you to let HB 5631 die in committee or vote NO on this bill.

HB 5631 would significantly increase costs on premium tobacco products. For small brick-and-mortar businesses like mine, this is not a minor adjustment — it is potentially devastating. If this bill passes and requires a floor tax on existing inventory, it will result in an immediate tax bill of approximately $2,000 based on our current stock. For a small business operating on tight margins, that alone could force us to close our doors.

Beyond the direct financial impact, this legislation would push customers out of our communities and across state lines — particularly to Pennsylvania — to avoid higher taxes. That means West Virginia loses tobacco tax revenue, local sales tax revenue, the 1% municipal tax, and the economic activity that supports revitalization efforts in our small towns.

What makes this even more concerning is that our pipe tobacco community has been steadily growing over the last two years. We are now drawing customers from as far east as Chambersburg, PA, as far west as Cincinnati, OH, as far south as Charleston, WV, and as far north as Ashtabula, OH. That is real economic impact being brought into West Virginia.

Our industry is already extremely challenging in this state. After four years in business, I can tell you that very few manufacturer representatives travel into West Virginia. Most do not go past Pittsburgh or Columbus because West Virginia is not considered a “target market.” In fact, our sales representative drives two and a half hours south just to visit our shop and give our customers the attention they deserve.

When I attended the Premium Cigar Association Trade Show in 2025, there were over 400 cigar vendors present. Many could not identify West Virginia on a map, did not know who their sales representative was for our state, or did not even sell directly into West Virginia — instead requiring us to purchase through third-party distributors.

That is the reality of doing business here. We are already fighting an uphill battle to bring premium products and outside dollars into our communities. HB 5631 would not strengthen small tobacco shops — it would weaken or eliminate them.

Premium cigars are not comparable to vape products or mass-market tobacco. They are handcrafted, premium products typically enjoyed occasionally by adult consumers. Treating them the same under tax policy does not reflect the reality of the market.

Over the past year alone, we have absorbed significant cost increases due to tariffs and rising import costs from countries where premium cigars are produced. Retail pricing is already 6–15% higher than last year.

For example:

• An Aganorsa Leaf Robusto Connecticut that previously sold for $8.99 now retails for $11.50.
• With tariffs, the federal excise tax of $0.40 per cigar, and a potential state tax increase under HB 5631, that same cigar could retail for approximately $15.60.

At some point, consumers simply will not pay the price — and small West Virginia businesses like mine will not survive.

I fully understand that tobacco use is a personal choice. However, legislation that disproportionately harms small, locally owned businesses while driving revenue out of state does not strengthen West Virginia’s economy.

I respectfully urge you to consider the real-world consequences of HB 5631 and respectfully urge you to stand with small West Virginia businesses and oppose HB 5631.

Thank you for your time and service to our state.

Sincerely,

Tyler Harto
Owner & Operator
Living My Best Cigar Life – Moundsville, LLC

I am a resident of Kanawha County, West Virginia, and I support HB 5563. Timely transplant referrals and accountability save lives. Please advance this bill.

I am a resident of Lincoln County, WV, and I support HB 5563. Timely transplant referrals and accountability save lives. Please advance this bill.