Denver flavored tobacco, vape ban strikes to full Metropolis Council vote

A Denver Metropolis Council committee on Wednesday superior a measure that might ban gross sales of most flavored tobacco and nicotine merchandise within the metropolis, regardless of robust objections from the business and retailers that promote e-cigarettes and vapes.

The council’s Security, Housing, Schooling & Homelessness Committee voted 6-1 to maneuver the ban on for consideration on the full council. The ultimate vote could be the second try to cross a flavored tobacco ban within the final three years.

The measure would ban almost each form of flavored tobacco and nicotine product from being bought throughout the metropolis’s borders, together with menthol cigarettes and flavored e-cigarettes and vapes. The objective, in line with the ordinance’s sponsors, is to guard the well being of younger individuals.

Retailers — together with Phil Guerin, the proprietor of vape store Myxed Up Creations, which has a Denver location — argued the ban would punish law-abiding enterprise homeowners who don’t promote to underage clients and would deprive town of tens of millions in gross sales tax revenues. Colorado regulation units the minimal age for tobacco merchandise at 21.

The proposed ordinance was launched in late October, however its progress was delayed by way of November whereas sponsors met with business representatives and included suggestions. The up to date ordinance mentioned Wednesday exempts flavored tobacco smoked out of hookah pipes, a typical follow in Center Jap and North African cultures.

The ordinance, together with the hookah exemption, carefully mirrors the progress of the same ban that the council handed in 2021. Then-Mayor Michael Hancock vetoed that regulation, arguing that Denver appearing alone — whereas surrounding municipalities continued to permit gross sales of flavored merchandise — wouldn’t hold tobacco out of the palms of youngsters.