NEWS
THIS AIN ’ T VETO-VER YET
In a bittersweet victory for harm reduction , officials overturned Denver ’ s controversial vape flavour ban … only to call for statewide regulations instead .
Words : Jordan Millar
In a tornado of regulatory changes , last minute vetoes and political opposition , vape brands in Denver have dodged the chopping block … for now .
After months of fierce debate and lobbying , policymakers passed a devastating flavour ban , which would see lifesaving vaping products outlawed city-wide .
However , the bill – which also extended to flavoured cigars and tobacco – was revoked just three days later .
In a moment of triumph for the vape industry , Denver ’ s Mayor , Michael Hancock , blocked the measure , protecting both small businesses and thousands who rely on flavoured e-liquids to quit .
Desperate to push the bill through , antivaping policymakers tried to overturn
Hancock ’ s decision … but they failed once again .
Supporters of the ban claimed flavoured e-liquids were fuelling the alleged ‘ youth epidemic ’, accusing the Mayor of ‘ succumbing to tobacco industry pressure ’ and missing a ‘ tremendous public health opportunity ’.
However , critics said that attacking e-cigarettes and flavours because of ‘ stoked up ’ concerns about youth use could have disastrous consequences , calling vaping a ‘ breakthrough in smoking cessation ’.
Kevin Garcia , a tobacco harm reduction fellow for Filter Mag , wrote : “ Vaping products are significantly more effective as cessation tools than traditional nicotine replacement therapies . “ And sadly , Denver ’ s ban is likely to encourage an illicit market , increase criminalisation and deter people from quitting the cigarettes that cost so many lives .”
He added : “ The campaign against vaping is an egregious example of drug-war fearmongering … prohibition , as we should know by now , creates many harms .”
Critics also highlighted that a blanket ban spelt doom for small businesses , who could take a serious financial hit , or even close , under the draconian restrictions .
Art Way of the Drug Policy Alliance said : “ Out of all the places where these bans have passed , there are no provisions that do anything for the users .
“ It ’ s all about how we can punish the sellers … and in this case , the sellers . you ’ re punishing are the mom-and-pop
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