Mullica’s Bill Allowing Counties to Prohibit Nicotine Products Clears Committee

The bill would ensure counties have the same power as municipalities to regulate nicotine sales

DENVER, CO – Senator Kyle Mullica’s, D-Thornton, bill to give counties more local control over tobacco and nicotine sales cleared the Senate Local Government and Housing Committee today.

SB24-022 would explicitly allow counties to prohibit the sale of cigarettes, tobacco, or nicotine products. This includes the power to prohibit the sale of flavored cigarettes, flavored tobacco or flavored nicotine products.

“Colorado is facing an epidemic of vaping and tobacco use that is having harmful effects on our kids and our communities,” Mullica said. “We have evidence from towns across Colorado that these types of policies work, and can lead to improved outcomes across the board. This bill is about ensuring both cities and counties can regulate tobacco in the fight for the health of our communities.” 

Colorado municipalities already have the power to prohibit flavored tobacco and nicotine products and several have done so, including Aspen, Boulder, Carbondale, Edgewater, Glenwood Springs, Golden, and Snowmass Village.

Youth and young adults are more likely than adults to use flavored nicotine products. In 2021, 22.6 percent of high school students in Colorado who have ever used a vape reported they used the products because they were flavored. Flavored and menthol nicotine products have also been shown to disproportionately impact the health of many marginalized groups - including Black Americans, Latino Americans, the LGBTQ community, women, and people living with mental illness. 

SB24-022 now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration. Follow the bill's progress HERE.