December 17th 2024.
On Monday, the Denver City Council made the decision to ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products within city limits. This move was met with opposition from convenience store and smoke shop owners who were concerned about losing revenue, as well as the potential for a black market to form. However, the council chose to prioritize the calls from public health and children's advocates who have long argued that these products, such as strawberry mango e-cigarettes, are designed to entice young people into a lifetime of addiction.
Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez expressed her support for the ban, stating that while it may not solve every problem, it will create a safer distance between our children and harmful substances. She also shared her personal experience with tobacco products and how they can shape a person's entire life if introduced at a young age.
This decision comes three years after a previous attempt to ban flavored tobacco was vetoed by then-Mayor Michael Hancock, who cited concerns about the negative impact on small businesses. This time, however, current Mayor Mike Johnston has signaled his full support for the ban, describing it as a critical public health policy.
The vote was decisive, with 11 council members in favor and only one, Councilman Kevin Flynn, opposing the ban. Flynn maintained his belief that the ban would not prevent young people from obtaining these products in surrounding communities where they are still legal. However, other council members, such as Darrell Watson, pushed back, citing data from other states and municipalities that have implemented similar bans and have seen a decrease in youth access to these products.
During a public hearing, the council also heard from medical professionals, such as epidemiologist Tessa Crume, who emphasized the tobacco industry's focus on protecting their flavored offerings in order to secure their financial future. She also compared nicotine to drugs like cocaine and heroin in terms of its addictive properties.
On the other hand, former law enforcement agents warned of the potential rise in crime if the ban were to pass, with some suggesting that criminal organizations from other countries may see the tobacco industry as a profitable opportunity. Retailers also spoke out against the ban, arguing that it was a rushed process that did not allow for collaboration or negotiation with law-abiding shop owners.
However, Councilman Watson clarified that the ban was not a hasty decision, as he and his colleague had spent eight months working on it and had over 50 meetings with stakeholders. They even paused the approval process in November to consider feedback and make exemptions, such as hookah tobacco, which holds cultural significance for people from Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds.
The ban was met with significant opposition from tobacco companies and retail associations, who placed ads in local newspapers criticizing the potential sales tax loss for the city. Yet, as Denver Health hospital CEO Donna Lynne pointed out during a committee hearing, it is often taxpayers who bear the long-term costs of the health impacts of tobacco and nicotine use.
In her closing arguments, Councilwoman Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez highlighted this economic impact and emphasized the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of our community, especially our youth. To stay updated on Colorado politics, sign up for our weekly newsletter, The Spot.
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