Colorado Senate Passes Bill Allowing Counties to Ban Flavored Tobacco Products

On Tuesday, the Colorado Senate voted 21-14 in favor of S.B. 24-022, a bill that allows counties in the state to pass bans on the sales of flavored tobacco products as well as regulate the distribution of tobacco products.

While the bill itself wouldn’t ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, it would open the door to local bans, something that is currently forbidden.

This is the second time in recent years that the Colorado General Assembly has moved towards allowing local control over tobacco regulation. In March 2019, H.B. 1033 was enacted, which allowed for Colorado cities, towns and counties to increase the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21 and increase taxes and retailer licenses. Previously, those actions were prevented via a preemption clause.

That law was signed by Gov. Jared Polis, who remains governor today. Two years ago, Polis, a Democrat, indicated that he opposed efforts to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products statewide, saying that he instead supported giving local communities the option to enact bans of their own.

S.B. 24-022 now moves on to the House of Representatives.