Calling on Community Members to Help End The Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products

Mar. 1, 2022

Dear DPS Community,

It’s critical that every DPS student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. That’s why Denver Public Schools is supporting House Bill 22-1064, legislation that would end the sale in Colorado of flavored tobacco products like candy-flavored vape juice, menthol cigarettes and fruity e-cigarettes.

Our educators who spend time with middle and high school students know how prolific and how damaging these products are for young people in Denver and across the state. More than one in four high school students in Colorado report using e-cigarettes, and eight out of every 10 youth who have ever tried tobacco started with a flavored product.

These products significantly increase the risk of young people becoming addicted to nicotine. Equally as troubling is how communities of color have been specifically targeted with tactics to increase tobacco use, with storefronts and products intentionally designed to be appealing to Black and Hispanic youth. Each year, more than 72,000 Black Americans and more than 43,000 Hispanics are diagnosed with tobacco-related cancer.

HB22-1064 will end the sale of all flavored products at all locations, no exception. Please take a minute to contact members of the House Health & Insurance Committee and let them know that you support this bill.

In collaboration,

Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent