Like many of its neighboring municipalities have done in recent weeks, Eagle County has voted in favor of raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco products to 21-years-old while sending a tax increase to voters to decide this November.
The decisions came during the Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Tuesday, with the age increase scheduled to go into effect on Nov. 1.
Meanwhile, as part of the Nov. 5 election, voters will be tasked with deciding whether or not approve a new tobacco tax that would impose an additional $4 tax on every pack of 20 cigarettes as well as a 40 percent tax on the sales price of all other tobacco and nicotine products, including premium cigars and electronic cigarettes.
Should voters approve the tax, it would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020. The county says that it could generate up to $4.5 million dollars in 2020, which would be used for public health programs and education, as well as tobacco sales enforcement efforts.
Eagle County is home to approximately 55,000 residents and includes the towns of Vail and Avon. It is located approximately 130 miles west of the Denver metropolitan area.