DENVER — Of all the warnings that greet people buying tobacco, there’s a new one outside convenience stores around Denver that might be even scarier for customers.
"I vape often. It’s definitely an everyday thing," said a woman named Stephanie after buying a flavored vape from a tobacco store. "My favorite flavor would probably be Bluerazz Ice."
Signs outside of Smoker Friendly on Broadway warn of an impending ban on flavored tobacco in Denver. Every flavored tobacco product in the store may soon be pushed out of the city.
"I just think it’s stupid," Stephanie said. "It doesn’t really get rid of the problem. It just gets rid of what people prefer."
On Wednesday, Denver City Council will take another step toward passing the bill banning the sale of flavored tobacco products. Back in 2021, then-Mayor Michael Hancock vetoed a similar proposal.
Councilmembers like Darrell Watson, who is sponsoring the bill, are confident there will be a different outcome this time, even if it means improving health comes at an economic price.
"We are not unsympathetic to the impacts or possible impacts that this may have on some businesses," Watson said. "My focus is on the health of communities and listening to the healthcare communities."
“We’re committed to protecting youth health through common sense measures, and Mayor Johnston would be supportive of this initiative,” a spokesperson for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston told 9NEWS in a statement.
There’s been a lot of money coming in from outside groups aimed at swaying this city council vote. An organization funded by tobacco giant Philip Morris is running ads that people should have smoke-free alternatives to cigarettes. The Convenience Store Association for Colorado and Wyoming is also involved in marketing against the bill.
"These types of products are killing our people. We feel like this is the right time to take this action," Watson said.
Mary Szarmach owns Smoker Friendly with her brothers. The tobacco shop based in Boulder has 360 stores in 13 states, including six in Denver. That could change if the ban passes.
"We already have a lease coming up and we’ve decided to move right across the street. We got a new lease and we’re out of the Denver city limits," Szarmach said.
She estimates 30% of the company’s sales come from flavored tobacco.
"The effect it’ll have is we’ll probably be looking for new locations," Szarmach said.
She said shops and businesses like her own haven't gotten a seat at the table as the ban becomes reality.
"The process has just been so unfair to retailers and distributers in the City of Denver," Szarmach said.
Towns like Edgewater and Golden have already passed similar bans. In Denver, there are 550 retailers that sell flavored tobacco.
If city council moves the bill out of committee on Wednesday, it's likely that it will be brought in front of the full council on December 16. Watson said the goal is to pass the bill by the end of the year.