Proposition EE passes, raising taxes on tobacco, vaping products

Colorado voters have approved Proposition EE, a ballot measure seeking to raise taxes on tobacco products and create new taxes on vaping products, according to the Associated Press. The measure led with nearly 69% of the vote as of 9:30 p.m., according to unofficial results from the Colorado Secretary of State’s office.

Proposition EE was referred to the ballot as part of a deal brokered by Gov. Jared Polis in the final days of the 2020 legislative session, and the projected $176 million it would raise in annual revenue is expected to help fund universal preschool for Colorado 4-year-olds, one of Polis’ top education-policy priorities.

The tax measure was opposed by an issue committee funded almost entirely by Liggett Vector Brands, a discount cigarette manufacture which alleges that a minimum-price provision contained in the measure will unfairly advantage premium cigarette brands sold by tobacco giant Altria.

Under the measure, the tax paid on a pack of cigarettes would increase from $0.84 to $1.94 beginning next year, and gradually rise to $2.64 by 2027. Taxes on tobacco and vaping products would both gradually increase to 62% by 2027.