Colorado's ban on flavored tobacco
Lawmakers from both parties in the Colorado Legislature introduced House Bill (HB) 22-1064. The measure would ban flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, menthol cigarettes, water pipes, chewing tobacco and cigars. Any violators would face penalties similar to those imposed on retailers caught selling tobacco to minors.
Among other things, Colorado has been a leader in trusting adults and lifting outdated bans, Bentley said in Reason discussing the measure. The state has taken the lead in legalizing marijuana, and the city of Denver has decriminalized the possession of magic mushrooms. Sadly, he added, it seems like a different ball game when it comes to nicotine.
The bill was passed by the Colorado House of Representatives last week and now goes to the state Senate. Bill's co-sponsor, State Senator Rhonda Fields, is optimistic. "You know, it looks great. It's on its way to the Senate, and then we'll make sure it goes through all the appropriate committees, and I look forward to debating it, "said Fields, a Democrat from Aurora.
The taste ban has prompted e-cigarette users to return to smoking
Consistent with previous research, a new study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that banning e-cigarette flavors would encourage e-cigarette users to return to smoking while creating a huge black market for e-cigarettes. As part of the study, 2,159 U.S. respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 were surveyed, and 33 percent of them would switch to smoking if they didn't have a taste, according to study author Charles Gardner.
To that end, the researchers concluded, flavor restriction may be harmful rather than beneficial. "In addition, if e-cigarette product sales were limited to tobacco flavor, 39.1% of users said they would likely continue using e-cigarettes, but 33.2% would likely switch to cigarettes. E-cigarette users are equally likely to switch to cigarettes if the sale of e-cigarette products is completely restricted, "the study said.
HB 22-1064 was repealed
The Senate has moved to abandon HB 22-1064. The president of American Steam Manufacturers praised the move. "Colorado's rejection of the flavor ban is a sign that other jurisdictions are refocusing public health efforts on what works -- e-cigarettes," she said. "Nicotine e-cigarettes are the most effective method of quitting smoking ever devised."