A legislative bill proposing a ban on the sales of flavored tobacco products in Hawaii has died in the State Senate, disappointing health advocates working to end the state’s teen vaping epidemic.

House Bill 551, introduced by State Rep. Scot Matayoshi (D, Kaneohe-Maunawili), was referred to the Senate Consumer Protection and Health & Human Service committees, but not scheduled for a hearing before today’s deadline.

The bill, which was backed by the Keiki Caucus and opposed by the Hawaii Smokers Alliance, would have prohibited the sale of flavored tobacco products, including vaping products, as well as the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free.

Matayoshi has introduced similar bills over past years, including one last year that made it to the Governor’s desk, but with a loophole that advocates opposed, and was ultimately vetoed.

“I’m disappointed that, year after year, the legislature has not managed to pass a flavored vaping ban,” said Matayoshi in an email. “This bill has broad public support, and every year we delay is another year thousands of keiki become addicted to nicotine.”

A slew of legislative bills were introduced this year to tackle regulation of flavored tobacco products. Health advocates have for years been pushing for the ban to address Hawaii’s teen vaping epidemic, saying companies intentionally market candy-flavored products to entice and addict youth.

Nearly 1 in 3 public high school students, and nearly 1 in 5 middle school students in Hawaii regularly vape, according to the latest youth survey.

In a joint statement, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Hawaii Public Health Institute, said due the Legislature’s failure to stop the sale of flavored tobacco products at a statewide level, counties need to be given back the power to take action.

“Preventing local control over the sale and marketing of tobacco products has been a favorite tactic of the tobacco industry for years,” said the groups. “They have been successful at using this tactic in Hawaii and many other states to prevent effective policies that could reduce tobacco use and save lives. The state cannot continue to fall victim to these tactics of the tobacco industry by blocking the power of county elected officials to protect their constituents from the dangers of e-cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products.

They are now throwing their support behind Senate Bill 1447, introduced by state Sen. Brandon Elefante (D, Aiea-Pearl City), which restores the ability of counties to enact stricter regulations on the sale of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices. The House Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce on Wednesday recommended that the measure be passed, with amendments. The bill has since been referred to the committee on Finance