Bill to end the sale of flavored tobacco products moves forward

DENVER – On Monday April 4th the House Finance Committee passed HB22-1064, a bill to end the sale of flavored tobacco products in Colorado.

CoPIRG Advocate Alex Simon delivered the following testimony in front of the House Finance Committee on behalf of the bill:

“Good afternoon.  My name is Alexandra Simon, and on behalf of CoPIRG, the Colorado Public Interest Research Group, I am asking you to vote yes on this important bill and pass it without the age restricted amendment. CoPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. We speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue our own individual well-being and the common good. As an advocate, I speak out for solutions that will benefit the health and wellbeing of all Coloradans.

I’m also the parent of a 2 year old, Sawyer. Being a parent is challenging. We try to protect our kids, but there are so many things outside of our control.  As my son grows up here in Colorado, knowing that 1 in 4 teens in the state are using e-cigarettes absolutely terrifies me. In a state that prides itself on a healthy lifestyle, the fact that teens here in CO are vaping at more than twice the national average is cause for immediate action. 

Flavors like cotton candy, gummy bear, frozen banana, pink lemonade and menthol hide the dangers of tobacco, creating an entire new generation of nicotine addicts.  With 85% of teens choosing flavors, it’s clear how incredibly effective these products are at targeting our youth. The impact of these choices will follow kids for the rest of their lives: studies from 2020 show that young adults who vape are seven times more likely than non users to start smoking cigarettes. Only 5% of smokers start after the age of 21. 

Allowing age-restricted stores to continue selling these products will not be an effective way to curb teen usage, and CoPIRG opposes that amendment. Recent data from the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey shows that over 60% of teens get cigarettes or vaping products by giving money to someone who is of legal age to buy for them. As well as failing to stop the floodgates of these products from getting into the hands of teens, the age restricted amendment will significantly increase the cost of this bill. In this case the choice is clear – both public health policy and fiscal prudence call for passing this will without the age restricted amendment.  

Unlike marijuana or alcohol, e-cigarettes have little odor, no immediate impact on demeanor, and a very low profile.  They look like a pen, fit in the palm of your hand, and can be used in a bathroom stall. Barring regular strip searches, I don’t know how a parent can possibly control or monitor the use of these devices.  

This bill will close important loopholes left open by the FDA, including refillable cartridges and synthetic nicotine. With 1,400 new teens becoming addicted in Colorado each year, we can no longer afford to wait for federal action.  

As a parent, a community member, and an advocate for the overall health and wellbeing of all Coloradans, I urge you to support this bill and create a safer, healthier future in Colorado for my son Sawyer, and the rest of Colorado’s youth who need your help today. 

Thank you.”