The city council in Golden, Colorado is set to vote on Tuesday on a proposal to ban the sale of flavored nicotine products. This ordinance would apply to all flavored nicotine or tobacco products, including vapes, cigarettes, cigars, and cigarillos. City Manager Scott Vargo highlights that the ban would align with the goal of preventing youth from starting nicotine use, reducing tobacco-related health disparities, and providing support for users interested in quitting.
However, the proposal has faced pushback from retailers, with some planning to host a news conference to express their opposition. The Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association and Convenience Store Association issued a statement, claiming that a ban would not only be financially devastating for independent convenience store owners but also ineffective, as many stores have competitors located just outside city limits.
The opposition news conference is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Valero One Stop, with the city council holding an executive session on an unrelated matter at 6 p.m. Regular council business is expected to commence at 6:45 p.m.
While some areas in Colorado already have flavored nicotine bans in place, efforts to ban it for a wider population have been unsuccessful so far. In 2021, the Denver City Council passed a flavored tobacco ban, but former Mayor Michael Hancock vetoed it. Similarly, a statewide ban died in a Senate committee last year, despite opposition from Governor Jared Polis.
At the national level, there is a pending proposal to ban menthol and flavors in cigarettes and cigars, which is currently being reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has committed to finalizing the rule by 2023.
In conclusion, the city council in Golden is poised to make a significant decision on the ban of flavored nicotine products. The proposal has generated both support from those aiming to curb youth nicotine use and opposition from retailers concerned about financial implications.
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