The survey results included data from both high school and middle school students. “The latest data is encouraging,” said Natalya Versheure, Tobacco Program Manager at CDPHE, “but there’s still more work to do. We recommend that parents, schools, and communities continue to encourage youth to make healthy choices and reinforce tobacco-free habits.”
Officials say that e-cigarette use among high school students has decreased significantly for the first time since they arrived on the scene. Currently at 16%, the percentage has dropped from 26% in 2019. While among high school students, current e-cigarette use has dropped from 6% to 3%, and current use of any tobacco product has dropped from 29% to 17%.
A proposal to ban tobacco and vape flavours
Earlier this year, bipartisan lawmakers in the Colorado General Assembly proposed House Bill (HB) 22-1064. The measure proposed banning flavoured tobacco products including vaping and heated tobacco products, menthol cigarettes, hookahs, chewing tobacco, and cigars. Any violators would be subject to similar penalties as retailers caught selling tobacco to minors.
The bill was passed by Colorado’s House in May, and proceeded to the state Senate soon after. Bill co-sponsor, state Sen. Rhonda Fields was optimistic. “You know, it looks great. It’s on its way to the Senate, and then we’ll make sure it goes through all the appropriate committees and I’m looking forward to debating it,” she said.
However, senate finally dropped the bill. President of the American Vapor Manufacturers, commended the move. “Colorado rejecting the flavor ban is a signal for other jurisdictions to refocus public health efforts on what works — vaping,” she said. “Nicotine vaping is the single most effective smoking cessation method ever devised.”
Read Further: 11News
