Denver council considers banning flavored tobacco sales, including menthol, cigars and hookah

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The Budget and Policy Committee of the Denver City Council discussed Monday banning the sale of flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars and flavored hookah tobacco.

In a presentation to the committee, bill sponsors Serena Gonzales Gutierrez, Darrel Watson and Shontel Lewis showed how certain products are marketed to vulnerable groups. While candy flavored vapes appeal to teens and children, menthol cigarettes traditionally have been marketed to Black people, Latinos and LGBT populations, according to the presentation.

Flavored tobacco facts

The sponsors’ research showed:

· The CDC found that no tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are safe, especially for children, teens, and young adults.

· The American Lung Association states that nicotine is highly addictive and harms developing brains with long-term effects on memory, concentration, self-control, and mood.

· The U.S. Surgeon General concluded that young people using nicotine in any form, including e[1]cigarettes, is dangerous because nicotine is highly addictive and harms brain development.

· The NAACP highlights research that shows ending menthol cigarette sales would save the lives of 654,000 Americans, including 255,000 Black Americans, over 40 years.

· The American Lung Association found menthol cigarettes increase the likelihood of becoming addicted and the severity of addiction.

Would hookah lounges and cigar bars be forced to close?

Several committee members expressed concerns about the proposed ordinance. Diana Romero Campbell wanted to know if hookah lounges and cigar bars would be forced out of business by the proposed ban. Gonzales-Gutierrez said no, they would not, because non-flavored tobacco still would be allowed.

City Council President Amanda Sandoval suggested the lounges be polled to find out how much of their business is from the sale of flavored tobacco. She recalled the council having lengthy discussions on the issue the last time the council considered a flavored tobacco ban in 2021. The council approved the ban but former Mayor Michael Hancock vetoed it. The council failed to override his veto.

Council member Kevin Flynn said during Monday’s meetings that he does not support a ban. “I’m just through telling grown ... adults what they should be doing.” Flynn said his district borders several other jurisdictions. He said that people could buy flavored tobacco easily in a neighboring town.

Council president shares personal story

Council President Amanda Sandoval shared a personal story about flavored tobacco. She said her daughter recently received $300 from a flavored tobacco vape class-action lawsuit for becoming addicted to nicotine. Sandoval said at one time the doors were removed in the restrooms of North High School because students were vaping in the stalls.

The committee did not act Monday on the proposed ban, which members said needs refinement.