Vaping-related illnesses are continually on the rise in Colorado. Six Coloradans have now been diagnosed with a still unsolved sickness known to directly stem from vaping either cannabis or nicotine. With the majority of these illnesses found in young people, Colorado lawmakers are hustling to protect the youth with new legislative moves.
The beginning stages of legislation against teen e-cigarette and tobacco use are underway in Colorado with a recent proposal to raise the statewide tobacco usage age to 21. This makes the substance on par with alcohol and marijuana accessibility. Tobacco usage includes the purchase of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping juice, or chew tobacco. Although certain cities like Boulder and Aspen have already raised their tobacco age to 21, and Denver is considering doing the same, the call for statewide legislation is heavy in order to prevent underage citizens from simply hopping towns to get tobacco products.
Governor Jared Polis is also pushing for a higher tax on vaping products, as the current rate in Colorado is low. Vaping products are not affected by tobacco taxes in the state, making them cheaper than actual cigarettes. These flavored products are also vastly more concentrated, with one single JUUL pod equaling the nicotine level of a whole pack of cigarettes.
According to a 2018 study from the United States Center for Disease Control, Colorado has the highest rate of teen vaping in the nation with 27% of high schoolers found to use vape products. These statistics are twice the national average. With these numbers, Colorado has reason to be concerned as 67% of the now 530 vaping related illnesses recorded in the US are from people between the ages of 18 and 34, with minors claiming another 16%.
However, national action may get to regulation before Colorado does. The Trump administration recently announced a proposed national ban on e-cigarettes. New York, a state just as liberal as Colorado in smoking and marijuana politics, just became the first in the nation to completely ban all flavored e-cigarettes this last Tuesday.
The United States only recently experienced an onslaught of vaping-related illnesses. Though e-cigarettes have been vastly popular for many years in the US, the first serious string of lung illnesses were reported in April. The first of now 8 deaths was only reported in the last month on August 23.
The sickness is mainly isolated in young people who vape either cannabis or nicotine. Many illnesses so far have been traced back to THC material.
Colorado will continue to debate lessening the accessibility of vape products. In keeping with the national push for harsher legislation and regulation, the state will negotiate their own methods as the illnesses continue to rise in the state.
