The Cortez City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 26 was an interesting exercise in expecting the unexpected. Members of the Youth Leadership Council and the Target Tobacco Action Group have been working with the City Council for several months on the draft Tobacco Retailer License Ordinance (TRLO), gathering data and additional information requested by the council, as well as working closely with the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would be suitable for Cortez. However, Mayor Danny Porter did not allow the draft ordinance to go through for a public reading. To be turned away before a public reading was allowed was surprising, and a blow to the welfare of our area youth.
Cortez needs this law to protect our youth. Data shows Cortez and area youth use tobacco products at a significantly higher rate than the rest of the state, and our research proves that a significant percentage of those youth are able to buy their products in our local stores. New high-nicotine tobacco products, some with candy-like flavors and designed to look like breath mints, are available in Front Range stores. It is only a matter of time before they are sold here in Cortez and Montezuma County. The TRLO will monitor the sale of those non-cigarette tobacco products in addition to more traditional forms of tobacco.
The decision to request a hearing on this ordinance was based on sound science. Tobacco retailer licensing is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the Institute of Health as one of the most effective strategies to reduce tobacco sales to youth. Colorado is only one of seven states that do not require a license to sell tobacco.
The council’s refusal to allow a public hearing on the TRLO appeared to be centered on the philosophy that “we don’t need more laws.” That is a very generalized statement that shows no regard for laws that benefit the public health. Licensing alcohol retailers reduces illegal sales to minors; requiring a driver’s license helps to ensure safer roads for all of us; requiring restaurants and other food vendors to purchase a license and have regular inspections helps to ensure that food we buy when eating out is safe. The TRLO is similar in its benefits. In addition to regular compliance checks, the TRLO provides for ongoing education for retailers and their staff. It is punitive only for those few retailers who continually sell tobacco products to youth.
The Target Tobacco Action Group and the Youth Leadership Council believe in this ordinance and our surveys show that we have the support of the majority of our community. We will continue to educate our policy makers and community on the issue and will return to the city council in the spring. As the end result in long-term tobacco use is increased health risks and, ultimately increased health care costs, this is an issue that affects all of us.
Julia Hesse is the Target Tobacco Coordinator.