A post-election survey reveals Denverites are concerned about issues ranging from affordable housing and crime to the city’s tax and spending habit.
They’ve got a dozen different worries, but the city council’s proposed ban on flavored nicotine and tobacco products is not one of them.
Not a single respondent out of 459 surveyed in the Independence Institute poll said they are worried the city council vote would fail and Denver would be overrun with nicotine junkies roaming the streets with their watermelon vape and chewing papaya gum.
Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute, summed up the council’s actions with his own brand of sarcasm.
“In a city plagued with crime, homelessness and ridiculously high cost of living, it is comforting to know the Denver City Council’s top priority is a non-issue that is no one’s priority, banning products to help people quit smoking, particularly people of color,” Caldara said in a press release.
“The city council should next announce that instead of filling potholes they will be outlawing exercise equipment,” Caldara said.
The poll conducted in the first week of December showed nearly 34% were worried about affordable housing, 16% said public safety, 14% pointed to taxing and spending that was out of control, and 13% said illegal immigration. Because it’s Denver.
Survey respondents’ self-identified as 56% Democrat, 12% Republican, and 28% Independent.
Phil Guerin, who owns a vape shop on Colfax Ave., told Denverite his customer base is adults trying to quit smoking, not kids.
He also estimated local retailers generate $13 million in tax revenues annually for Denver.
The city council will hold a hearing on the proposed ban on Dec. 16, when voters are more focused on the holidays than local government meetings. Cause hat’s how Denver does Democracy.