Tobacco use: Colorado 2026

Cigarette use: Colorado*

• In 2024, 9.7% of adults smoked. Nationally, the adult cigarette smoking prevalence was 11.6%.

Other tobacco product use: Colorado*

• In 2024, 8.9% of adults in Colorado used e-cigarettes. Nationally, the adult e-cigarette use prevalence was 8.0%.
• In 2024, 3.5% of adults in Colorado used smokeless tobacco every day or some days. Nationally, the adult smokeless tobacco use prevalence was 3.4%.
• In 2021, 18.5% of high school students in Colorado used electronic vapor products on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the e-cigarette use prevalence among high school students was 18.0%.
• In 2021, 4.6% of high school students in Colorado used chewing tobacco, snuff or dip on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the smokeless tobacco use prevalence among high school students was 2.5%.
• In 2021, 4.8% of high school students in Colorado smoke cigars, cigarillos or little cigars on at least one day in the past 30 days. Nationally, the cigar use prevalence among high school students was 3.1%.

Economics of tobacco use and tobacco control

• Colorado received $421.4 million (estimated) in revenue from tobacco settlement payments and taxes in fiscal year 2026.
• Of this, the state allocated $43.1 million in state funds to tobacco prevention in fiscal year 2026, 81.4% of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual spending target.
• Smoking-related health care costs: $2.19 billion per year.
• Smoking-related losses in productivity: $4.4 billion per year.

Colorado tobacco laws

Tobacco taxes

• Colorado is ranked 18th in the U.S. for its cigarette tax of $2.24 per pack (enacted January 2021), compared with the national average of $2.05. (New York has the highest tax at $5.35 and Missouri has the lowest at 17 cents.) 
• Nicotine products are taxed at 56% of the manufacturer’s list price but will increase to 62% on July 1, 2027. Nicotine products that have received a modified risk tobacco product designation from the FDA are taxed at 28% of the manufacturer’s list price but will increase to 31% on July 1, 2027. Other tobacco products that have received a modified risk tobacco designation from the FDA are taxed at 38% of the manufacturer’s list price but will increase to 41% on July 1, 2027. All other tobacco products are taxed at 56% of the manufacturer’s list price but will increase to 62% on July 1, 2027.

Clean indoor air ordinances

• Smoking is prohibited in all government and private workplaces (certain marijuana establishments exempt), schools, childcare facilities, retail stores, restaurants (certain marijuana establishments exempt), bars (cigar/tobacco bars are exempt) and casinos/gaming establishments (tribal establishments are exempt).6,7  
• Use of electronic devices are restricted similar to smoking. E-cigarettes are prohibited in indoor areas, including places or employment, common areas of retirement and public housing, day care facilities, health care facilities, and hotel and motel rooms.
• The use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited on school property and vehicles, including those of day cares, early learning schools, and K-12 schools. Use of electronic nicotine delivery systems is prohibited in foster care homes while children are in placement.
• Smoking and vaping by driver’s license applicants and testers is prohibited during the driving test.
• Use of e-cigarettes and vaporizers must be addressed in living residences’ house rules.
• E-cigarettes are included in the state’s clean indoor air laws (certain marijuana establishments exempt) and the state’s definition of smoking and tobacco products.

Licensing laws

• Retailers are not required to obtain a license to sell tobacco products. Wholesalers and distributors are required to obtain a license to sell tobacco products.
• A license is required to sell e-cigarette products.  

Youth access laws

• In December 2019, the United States adopted a law raising the federal minimum age of sale of all tobacco products to 21, effective immediately.  
• Establishments are required to post signs stating that sales to people under 21 are prohibited.
• A retailer licensed to sell cigarettes, tobacco products or nicotine products may deliver such products to persons 21 years of age or older if: 1) the person receiving the delivery is located at a place that is not licensed; 2) the delivery is made by an owner or employee of the licensed retailer who is at least 21 years of age; and 3) the person making the delivery verifies that the person receiving such products is 21 years of age or older by requiring the presentation of a government-issued photographic ID.

Local tobacco laws

• Aspen, Carbondale, Edgewater, Glenwood Springs, Snowmass Village, Silverthorne, Frisco, Breckenridge, and Dillon prohibit the sale of all flavored tobacco products. Boulder prohibits the sale of flavored e-cigarettes.  

Quitting statistics and benefits

• The CDC estimates 49.6% of daily adult smokers in Colorado quit smoking for one or more days in 2019.
• In 2014, the Affordable Care Act required that Medicaid programs cover all quit medications.
• Colorado’s state quit line invests $6.63 per smoker, compared with the national median of $2.62.
• Colorado has a private insurance mandate provision for quitting tobacco.  

Notes and references