American Lung Association of Colorado

2007 State of Tobacco Control Report

The American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control annual report card grades each state's tobacco control efforts in four key areas: tobacco prevention spending, clean indoor air laws, cigarette taxes and youth access laws.

See 2007 report for Colorado

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Colorado's Tobacco Control Summary: 2007
In 2006, the American Lung Association of Colorado, now part of the American Lung Association of the Southwest, saw the culmination of many years of hard work on smoke-free air issues. In 2007, we saw yet another victory when the legislature passed House Bill 1269 that requires all casinos in Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek to be 100 percent smoke-free on January 1, 2008. This important legislation ensures that 8,000 casino employees in Colorado will work in a safe smoke-free environment. Additionally, millions of casino patrons will also benefit from the smoke-free environment.

The American Lung Association of Colorado, in collaboration with state and local partners, met regularly to develop the plans needed to ensure that the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act passed in 2006 remained intact. Some of the bills offered for consideration would have allowed bars to pay $500 for a special license to allow smoking in their establishments; other bills would have exempted casinos and veterans’ clubs from adhering to the provisions of the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act. These bills were defeated and we attribute this to the strength of our partnership with state and local coalitions.

Unfortunately, a bill to license tobacco product retailers was defeated in the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee. We will be regrouping with our tobacco advocacy partners regarding plans to educate the public and legislators about this important issue and to reintroduce this bill during the 2008 legislative session. We will also focus our efforts to get local retailer licensing laws passed in certain key communities. Thanks to the 2004 passage of a tobacco tax increase ballot initiative, Colorado remains one of the few states funding tobacco programs above the minimum level recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixteen percent of tobacco tax revenue is dedicated to supporting comprehensive tobacco prevention, education and cessation programs throughout the state.

Moving forward, the American Lung Association of Colorado will work with local communities, coalitions and our statewide partners to address youth access to tobacco since statistics indicate that reducing youth access to tobacco products is an important component in reducing and preventing tobacco use among young people. We will also be working with our partners to develop a plan to address the demand for smoke-free housing and health disparities that exist among priority population groups throughout the state.

Other tobacco pages:

   Quit Smoking
You can do it! Local resources to help people of all ages say "no" and mean it.

   Resources for Schools
Our breathing lung exhibit leaves a lasting impression on elementary students, and our N-O-T (Not On Tobacco) program has helped thousands of teens quit smoking.

   Secondhand Smoke Info
Find out what efforts are being made in your community to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke.

Eliminating Tobacco Disparities
Certain culturally diverse communities experience higher tobacco addiction rates than other groups. See what's being done.

Tobacco Industry Exposed
The "Tobacco Industry Involvement in Colorado" report is one of our most popular downloads.

Resources & Links