State of Tobacco Control Report

2009 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 2009 report for Colorado

See full report

Colorado's Tobacco Control Summary
The American Lung Association in Colorado has been dealing with devastating blows to tobacco prevention and cessation programs for a significant part of 2009. Funding cuts were made to tobacco prevention programs in the 2009 legislative session in response to an $800 million state budget deficit. In August, on the heels of the legislative cuts, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter proposed even more funding cuts, a move certain to decimate tobacco control programs in the state. Together with our partners and tobacco control advocates, the Lung Association continues to be relentless in our efforts to fight for necessary tobacco prevention funding to adequately address the impact of tobacco use within Colorado.

The funding that was cut from tobacco control programs had been paid for through successful passage of Amendment 35, a Colorado voter-approved constitutional amendment allowing a portion of cigarette tax revenue to pay for a number of public health programs, including tobacco education and prevention programs. To access this funding for other purposes the legislature was required to declare a “fiscal emergency” allowing them to use these earmarked funds instead for the state general fund.

Searching for alternatives to taking these funds and severely crippling state tobacco control efforts, the Lung Association and our partners proposed to legislators the elimination of an exemption from state sales and use tax on cigarettes to fund tobacco control programs. The legislature approved legislation to eliminate this sales tax exemption for two years, but it then refused to restore any of the tobacco control program funding cuts. This resulted in a $6 million funding cut, or 20 percent of the total funding for these vital programs.

Despite Colorado’s current economic turmoil, there were a few tobacco control successes during the 2009 legislative session. Two bills were passed in support of preventive health care services: 1) House bill 1012 authorizes private insurance carriers, and Colorado’s high-risk pool, to offer incentives to beneficiaries for participating in wellness and prevention programs, including tobacco cessation programs and 2) House bill 1204 requires coverage for tobacco cessation services under certain health plans/policies in Colorado. The legislature also improved the state’s process for collecting tobacco taxes in House bill 1173.

As the American Lung Association in Colorado moves forward we will be fighting for the very survival of tobacco control within the state. We will continue to work with our policy partners, advocates and our state government to fight for the health of all Coloradans. We will be tireless in our efforts to protect our youth and vulnerable populations from the devastation caused by tobacco addiction. And we will protect the progress made by tobacco control efforts in the state despite the formidable challenges that lie ahead.

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