Nicotine is back in the crosshairs with a possible new ban on flavored tobacco in Summit. And unlike the existing nicotine tax this would not require a public vote.
Summit County Public Health was pitching the ban to Silverthorne town council last night, saying it is made to shield youth from harmful tobacco products and advertising.
The first and largest part of this ban would prohibit flavored tobacco sales, including menthol, snus and cigarillos. It does not mention vape juice, which contains nicotine but no tobacco.
Summit public health brought a sample ordinance to the town. It was written with help from the Colorado state health department, including university experts in Denver, Fort Collins and Greeley.
Also in the ordinance are three other new nicotine laws:
- Prohibit discounts on tobacco products
- Cap the number of tobacco retailers in a town, and limit their proximity to schools or rec centers
- Prohibit nicotine products at retail stores with a pharmacy, like grocery stores and Walmart
In a memo to town council, Silverthorne staff did not support or oppose the ban, writing, “staff recommend that any new regulations that are adopted be scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, to allow retailers and staff ample to for notification and process implementation.”
This would be the latest nicotine bill crafted to protect kids. In 2019 the county adopted a new nicotine tax, $4 per pack of cigarettes and 80% on all other nicotine products. Unlike most funds it was designed to shrink. Lawmakers at the time said they wanted it to lose money when people stopped using.
The nicotine fund lost money just once, from 2023 to 2024. The latest county budget predicts it will make a record $3.3 million this year.