American Lung Association Celebrates Colorado Tobacco Control Proposition Election Results

Statement of Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association, in response to the election results of Colorado Proposition EE, which will raise taxes on cigarettes, other tobacco and nicotine products and dedicate revenue to tobacco cessation and prevention programs.

“The American Lung Association applauds the State of Colorado for passing Proposition EE, which will raise taxes on cigarettes, other tobacco products, and, for the first time, apply a tax on nicotine and vaping products.

“On January 1, 2021, the cigarette tax will increase by $1.10 to $1.94 per pack, and the tax on other tobacco products will increase to 50% of the manufacturer’s list price. The new tax on nicotine and vaping products will be 30% of the manufacturer’s list price. Additional increases in all these taxes are scheduled for future years under the measure.

“This ballot measure will improve the health of Coloradans. Not only will the new tax directly reduce smoking and vaping rates, the increase will help direct much-needed funds to the state budget and tobacco control program. In Colorado, approximately 20.2% of adults use tobacco, and tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in our state and the country. This tobacco tax increase, the first in more than 10 years, is a major step forward for public health in Colorado and will ensure that fewer lives are lost to tobacco.”