All Roll Calls
Yes: 220 • No: 28
South CarolinaH 4303126th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 12-21-620, RELATING TO TAX RATES ON PRODUCTS CONTAINING TOBACCO, SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR A TAX ON CIGARETTES FOR HEATING AND CERTAIN VAPOR PRODUCTS AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES.
Sponsored By: Gil Gatch (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Cigarettes for heating
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New taxes on cigarettes and vapes
Beginning October 1, 2025, South Carolina adds new taxes on cigarettes, heated tobacco, and vape liquid. Rates are $0.0035 per smoking cigarette, $0.021375 per heating cigarette, 5% of the manufacturer’s price on other tobacco, and $0.05 per milliliter of nicotine liquid. Money from the heating‑cigarette and vape‑liquid taxes goes to the South Carolina Medicaid Reserve Fund. Manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers pay first, but you will likely see higher retail prices.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Gil Gatch
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Gary S. Brewer, Jr.
Republican • House
Gilda Cobb-Hunter
Democrat • House
Craig A. Gagnon
Republican • House
Thomas Duval "Val" Guest, Jr.
Republican • House
Brandon Guffey
Republican • House
Lonnie Hosey
Democrat • House
Marvin "Mark" Smith
Republican • House
J. Todd Rutherford
Democrat • House
Heath Sessions
Republican • House
J. David Weeks
Democrat • House
Richard L. "Richie" Yow
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/14/2026
(Cigarettes for heating)Concur in Senate Amendments
Yes: 91 • No: 18
Senate vote • 5/13/2026
(Cigarettes for heating)3rd Reading
Yes: 36 • No: 4
House vote • 5/1/2025
(Cigarettes for heating)Passage of Bill
Yes: 93 • No: 6 • Other: 1
Actions Timeline
Effective date 05/19/2026
6/5/2026legislatureAct No. 234
6/3/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/19/2026GovernorRatified R 247
5/15/2026legislatureRoll call Yeas-91 Nays-18
5/14/2026HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled
5/14/2026HouseRoll call Ayes-36 Nays-4
5/13/2026SenateRead third time and returned to House with amendments
5/13/2026SenateAmended
5/13/2026SenateCommittee Amendment Adopted
5/13/2026SenateRead second time
5/12/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Finance
3/18/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Finance
5/6/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
5/6/2025SenateRead third time and sent to Senate
5/2/2025HouseUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day
5/1/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-93 Nays-6
5/1/2025HouseRead second time
5/1/2025HouseAmended
5/1/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Ways and Means
4/30/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Yow
4/24/2025HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Hosey
4/9/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Ways and Means
4/3/2025HouseIntroduced and read first time
4/3/2025House
Bill Text
Introduced
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