Lawmakers on the final day of the legislative session May 18 passed a bill to impose a tax on electronic smoking products, such as e-cigarettes, vaping sticks and refills.

The tax, at 35% of the wholesale price, was in part a compromise between the original version of the bill, at 75%, and opponents who argued against taxing vaping products that could be a healthier alternative for smokers than traditional cigarettes, which are heavily taxed by the state and many municipalities.

The new tax will take effect Jan. 1, 2023, unless Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoes the measure. The governor did not tak...