DENVER- Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed an executive order and proclamation to recognize Vape-Free November on Friday.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) announced that Colorado teens have the highest incidence of vaping in the nation. Vaping is considered an epidemic and could lead to nicotine addiction.
“To lead the nation in youth vaping is intolerable. Collectively, we can help ensure families better understand the lifetime health impact of vaping at a young age and work to decrease the number of youths turning to this popular, yet problematic form of nicotine,” Hickenlooper said.
The executive order takes several steps. It directs the Department of Revenue to double compliance checks of tobacco and e-cigarette retails to make sure they’re not selling to the underage. It also makes smoking e-cigarettes and vaping in and on the grounds of state buildings prohibited.
It directs the CDPHE to issue a health advisory on e-cigarettes and vaping and identify programs to prevent the behavior, especially when mixed with binge drinking or other drugs.
The order also makes suggestions the legislature can consider in its upcoming session, including having sellers be licensed, raising the minimum age to purchase to 21 years old, and prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products in Colorado.
