Gov. Jared Polis says he doesn’t support a bipartisan bill that would ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol cigarettes, because he prefers a local regulatory approach. But some city and county leaders explicitly support the measure, now stalled in the legislature, and two organizations that represent local governments and fiercely […]
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Posted inEducation, Election 2020, Health, News, Politics and Government
Proposition EE will raise taxes on tobacco products in Colorado — with one very big exception
When Coloradans fill out their ballots over the next three weeks and vote on Proposition EE, they will decide whether to significantly raise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco and nicotine products. That is, with one big exception. The ballot question, if passed, would actually reduce the taxes — at least for the next six […]
Posted inBusiness, Crime and Courts, News, Politics and Government
Marlboro’s owners negotiated Colorado’s proposed tobacco tax hike — and it could help them dominate the cigarette market
The maker of Marlboro cigarettes spent more than $16 million to block a tobacco tax increase in Colorado four years ago. Now it could benefit from the passage of a question on the November ballot that would dramatically increase the price of cigarettes — a question the company helped write. The company, Altria, was part […]
Posted inBusiness, Crime and Courts, Health, News
Colorado attorney general sues Juul, claims vape company marketed to kids and downplayed health risks
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said Tuesday he has filed a lawsuit against Juul that alleges the vaping company marketed its products to kids and downplayed their health risks. Weiser is also accusing Juul of falsely suggesting its vaping products are a healthy smoking alternative and can help people quit using cigarettes. Weiser’s office has […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Teen vaping cannot be Colorado’s new normal. This is a preventable epidemic
Just when I thought we were making significant strides at preventing teens from smoking traditional tobacco, the tobacco industry invented vaping and Colorado’s teen vaping epidemic ensued. I have had to change my practice, the questions I ask my patients, and the counseling I offer because the tobacco industry has been very successful at getting […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government
Colorado lawmakers will weigh in 2020 whether to ban flavored vaping products
State Rep. Yadira Caraveo plans to introduce legislation in the coming weeks to ban flavored vaping products as a way to curb what officials say are crisis levels of teen e-cigarette use in Colorado. “These flavors are targeted toward children, and really are meant, in my opinion, as a way to addict a new generation […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: It’s time for Colorado to respond to the teen vaping epidemic
“Gummy bear,” “cotton candy” and “banana split” aren’t just candy flavors you might find in your child’s Halloween basket; they are flavors that tobacco executives are using right now to hook kids like yours on nicotine vaping. Despite the news you may have recently read about the Trump administration’s new restrictions on nicotine vaping products, […]
Posted inBusiness, Health, News, Politics and Government
If Congress doesn’t raise the tobacco-purchasing age to 21, Colorado lawmakers next year will try to
Congress could soon pass bipartisan legislation raising the age to purchase tobacco products across the U.S. to 21 from 18. But if the proposal grinds to a halt in the slow-moving gears of Washington, a pair of Democratic state lawmakers are poised to ensure the change happens in Colorado. State Sen. Jeff Bridges of Greenwood […]
Posted inNews, Politics and Government
Colorado’s attorney general will investigate whether Juul marketed to kids, misled on smoking cessation
Colorado’s attorney general says he will investigate whether Juul marketed e-cigarettes to children and positioned its products as smoking cessation devices without any basis for the claim. Democrat Phil Weiser announced in August, as first reported by Colorado Public Radio, that he was launching a probe of Juul. He said the investigation falls under his […]