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 […]
nicotine
Posted inBusiness, News, Politics and Government
Here’s how much money Colorado’s new nicotine, increased cigarette taxes generated in their first 5 months
A new nicotine tax and an increased tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products in Colorado generated more than $34 million in their first five months, according to a data analysis by The Colorado Sun. Proposition EE, which was passed by voters in November, went into effect in January, raising the taxes on a pack […]
Posted inBusiness, Crime and Courts, Election 2020, News, Politics and Government
Emails show negotiations involving Colorado governor, cigarette giant that led to tobacco tax hike
Gov. Jared Polis’ office was asked to meet several conditions insisted upon by Altria in exchange for the cigarette giant agreeing not to fight legislation that put a question on the November ballot asking voters to raise tobacco and nicotine taxes in Colorado, emails obtained by The Colorado Sun show. One of those conditions included […]
Posted inCrime and Courts, Election 2020, News, Politics and Government
Discount cigarette makers file federal lawsuit seeking to invalidate part of Colorado’s Proposition EE
Three discount cigarette manufacturers on Thursday filed a federal lawsuit seeking to prevent a key element of Proposition EE from taking effect if the measure on the November ballot is approved by voters. The clause would mandate a pack of cigarettes can be sold for no less than $7 starting next year. The Liggett Group, […]
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 inHealth, News, Politics and Government
The effort to ban flavored vaping products, menthol cigarettes in Colorado now has a big asterisk
Democratic state lawmakers set out this year to pass a bill banning the sale of all flavored vaping and nicotine products in Colorado, including menthol cigarettes and wintergreen smokeless tobacco, as a way to curb teen use. They won’t get it done. On Tuesday, House Bill 1319 — which sought to impose the blanket ban […]
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, Education, Environment, Health, News
Vaping waste is a whole new headache for schools and cities, including in Colorado
By John Daley, Colorado Public Radio In her office at Boulder High School, the assistant principal has a large cardboard box where she can toss the spoils of her ongoing battle with the newest student addiction. “This is what I call the box of death,” said Kristen Lewis. “This is everything that we’ve confiscated.” The box […]
Posted inHealth, News, Politics and Government
Colorado communities do what state lawmakers wouldn’t: Raise taxes on cigarettes, vaping products
A cluster of health-conscious communities, mostly in the Colorado mountains, passed measures Tuesday that took aim at the youth vaping epidemic. Eight cities and counties asked voters to increase taxes on tobacco, including electronic cigarettes and vaping products. And the proposed taxes were hefty — $3 to $4 per pack of cigarettes and 40% on […]