On April 8^th, the Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine (COSAM) sent a letter to the sponsors of HB 22-1064, expressing support for their bipartisan and bicameral legislation to regulate synthetic nicotine. Specifically, this legislation would expand the statutory definition of tobacco products to include synthetic nicotine and prohibit the marketing and sale of all flavored nicotine products.

In the letter, COSAM cited statistics indicating that the use of electronic cigarettes is increasing, especially among American teenagers. This trend is specifically prevalent in Colorado. According to survey data, one out of four young Coloradans report using electronic cigarettes. Additionally, COSAM emphasized the elevated risk that tobacco products pose to patients with addiction. Tobacco-related illness is the leading cause of death among individuals with substance use disorder. As such, significant steps must be taken to tighten the regulation of synthetic nicotine products at the state level. COSAM hailed HB 22-1064 as an evidence-based measure to abate tobacco use in Colorado, with a focus towards protecting vulnerable populations.

Read the letter here.