For Immediate Release | October 18, 2018

Avon Asking Voters to Consider Tax Increase on the Sale of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products

Avon, CO – Avon voters are being asked to consider Ballot Issue 2B, which would impose a $3 per pack local tax on cigarettes and a 40% local tax on the sale of other tobacco products.
 
In August 2018, the Avon Town Council approved Ordinance 18-08, which raised the legal age to purchase tobacco products in Avon from 18 to 21 years of age and created a local tobacco sales license for the Town of Avon. The Town Council also took action to refer a tax measure on cigarettes, tobacco and nicotine products, which is Ballot Issue 2B – Tax Increase on the Sale of Tobacco and Nicotine Products. 
 
In accordance with Colorado Revised Statute 39-22-623, the Town has forfeited its share of state cigarette tax revenues of approximately $42,000 per year regardless of the outcome of the November 6, 2018 election. The Town estimates that it may collect as much as $600,000 for the local tobacco and nicotine tax in the first year if Ballot Issue 2B passes. The local tobacco and nicotine tax revenues would go to the Town’s General Fund in the same manner as the Town’s share of the state cigarette tax revenues.
 
Avon would not be the first Colorado municipality to enact a local tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products. In November 2017, Aspen voters approved a new cigarette sales tax that starts at $3 per pack (which increases by $0.10 per year up to a maximum of $4.00 per pack for cigarettes) and a 40% sales tax on all other tobacco products. In April 2018, Basalt voters approved a cigarette tax of $2.00 per pack and a 40% tax on other tobacco products.
 
This ballot question is on Eagle County’s consolidated ballot. Ballots were mailed to all active registered voters in Eagle County on October 15, 2018. Ballots must be returned by November 6, 2018. For more information about Ballot Issue 2B, visit www.avon.org/tobacco. For more information about the upcoming election, including a list of Voter Service and Polling Center locations, visit https://www.eaglecounty.us/Clerk/Voting_and_Elections/Upcoming_Elections/.