By Jefferson County Public Health
Preventing harm from tobacco and nicotine requires our communities to work together. Collectively, we can create healthier environments that protect us all and safeguard the well-being of our neighbors, friends and future generations. The call for communities to unite against the widespread influence of the tobacco industry continues to be urgent and requires a collective commitment to prevention.
Despite successes like the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement in the late 1990’s and other state and local tobacco control policy efforts, the tobacco industry continues to target young people and Black, Latino/Hispanic and LGBTQ+ populations. Big Tobacco persists to find new generations of customers through colorful packaging, flavored products and large social media campaigns. Their efforts have resulted in 75% of high schoolers reporting seeing ads for e-cigarettes, according to the 2019 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey.
Edgewater has been a leader in Jeffco and throughout Colorado in the fight against the tobacco industry’s influence on community health. With support from the Tobacco Prevention Initiative at Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH), Edgewater has implemented strong smoke and vapor-free policies, required local tobacco retail licensing and, most recently in 2021, ended the sale of flavored tobacco products.
Smoke/vapor-free policies help reduce secondhand smoke and vapor exposure, support quitting efforts and reduce the rates of youth using tobacco products. These comprehensive strategies ensure all retailers receive local support and are fully informed about, and compliant with, the regulations for selling nicotine and tobacco products. Policies prohibiting flavored nicotine products make these products less available to youth.
In Edgewater, local students have also taken a proactive approach by participating in UpRISE, a statewide movement aimed to amplify the voices of Colorado’s youth and shed light on the harmful practices of the tobacco industry. This program simultaneously increases awareness about why young people use nicotine or other substances and works to equip youth with the tools to actively contribute to positive changes in our community.
JCPH is committed to safeguarding residents from secondhand smoke and vapor, discouraging youth from initiating smoking or vaping and offering support to those who currently use these products. A recent settlement with JUUL Labs is creating new opportunities in Jefferson County and across the state to address the harms caused by targeted marketing tactics towards youth. JCPH is eager to partner with youth to gain a deeper understanding of their unique perspectives and ideas on tackling the industry’s influence.
By supporting tobacco cessation efforts and preventing tobacco initiation, Jefferson County communities can reduce the burden of tobacco and promote a healthier environment for all. JCPH supports collaboration between community members, policy makers and organizations in finding and implementing best practice strategies and policies to reduce the toll of tobacco in our communities. Each of us has a role to play — whether as an advocate, mentor or supportive community member.
To learn more about tobacco prevention and get involved in local prevention efforts, visit JCPH’s website or reach out at tobaccofree@jeffco.us.
About Jefferson County Public Health
Public health is what we do collectively to prevent illness and premature death and promote health in our neighborhoods and communities. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is a nationally accredited health department committed to promoting and protecting health across the lifespan for all people through prevention, education and partnerships. To learn more about JCPH visit https://www.jeffco.us/public-health. You can also follow JCPH on X (formerly Twitter) @JeffcoPH, Instagram @JeffcoPH and Facebook @jeffcopublichealth.
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
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