Re: “Bloomberg gives $1.5M to help save flavored-tobacco ban<\/a>,” Oct. 9 news story<\/p>\n As ballots begin arriving in mailboxes, small business owners like me are standing up to a New York billionaire who has poured $1.6 million into keeping Denver\u2019s flavored tobacco ban in place. This brings the total to more than $2 million raised to influence the outcome of Referendum 310, funding a wave of misleading ads aimed at confusing voters.<\/p>\n This measure gives Denver voters the opportunity to restore local control and allow the sale of flavored vape products to adults 21 and older. It is not about kids — it is already illegal to sell these products to anyone under 21. What\u2019s really at stake is fairness for responsible small businesses and whether Denver keeps $13 million a year in local revenue that currently funds critical services like preschool, K-12, and public safety.<\/p>\n The No on 310 campaign is powered by Colorado-based small business owners who believe that local decisions should be made by local voters, not out-of-state billionaires. These are family-run stores that have served their communities for years and now find themselves fighting to survive against a massive, well-funded campaign that doesn\u2019t understand our city or our economy.<\/p>\n Voting No on 310 protects small businesses, saves local jobs, and ensures that $13 million stays here in Denver — supporting the schools, safety, and community services we all rely on. This is about standing up for local families, local workers, and the right for responsible adults to make their own decisions.<\/p>\n Kristen Hensel, Denver<\/em><\/p>\n Editor’s note: Hensel owns Rusty’s Vape and Smoke Shop.<\/em><\/p>\n In reference to ballot measure 310, the vaping ban, one needs to recognize that the addictive qualities of nicotine are only surpassed by cocaine and heroin<\/a>. So ignore the subterfuge being generated by the tobacco\/vaping industry.<\/p>\n The bottom line is that vaped nicotine produces a better revenue profile over time than cigarettes because vaping doesn’t kill off its addicts. Of course, the “industry” wants to get as many people “hooked” on nicotine as they can. Regrettably, many people will be paying for this addiction for their entire lives — much to the delight of the industry.<\/p>\n Please vote “Yes” on 310 to retain the ban on vaping products in Denver.<\/p>\nYes on 310: Fight tobacco industry<\/h4>\n