Denver Flavored-Tobacco Ban Spurs Ballot Fight; Former NYC Mayor Donates $1.5 Million to Back Sales Ban

Key Points：
 

· Donation & Recipient: Michael R. Bloomberg donated $1.5 million to the pro-ban campaign committee Denver Kids vs Big Tobacco, on top of a prior $73,500 in in-kind support.

· Referendum & Ballot Meaning: Denver’s “flavored-tobacco ban” goes to a Nov. 4 referendum; Yes = keep the ban, No = repeal the ban.

· Policy Background: In Dec. 2024, the Denver City Council voted to prohibit retail sales of “flavored tobacco products.” In March 2025, e-cigarette retailers submitted about 17,000 signatures to force a referendum, spending roughly $240,000 on the effort.

· Fundraising Comparison (as of Oct. 8): Pro-ban side has raised over $2 million; opposition about $468,000 (per city records).

· Arguments: Opponents say the ban affects ~550 retailers and could cost $13 million in sales-tax revenue. Supporters and medical experts cite about $22 billion in annual healthcare costs and $44 billion in productivity losses from flavored tobacco, plus $415 million in Medicaid spending.

2Firsts, Oct. 9, 2025 — Citing reports from Denver Searchlight and the Denver Gazette, former New York City mayor and Bloomberg LP founder Michael Bloomberg has stepped into Denver’s fight over its flavored-tobacco ban, which faces a repeal bid via referendum.

According to the Denver Gazette, Bloomberg contributed $1.5 million to Denver Kids vs Big Tobacco, the campaign supporting the ban’s retention. Known for his anti-tobacco stance and work through Bloomberg Philanthropies, the gift follows $73,500 in earlier in-kind support.

In December 2024, the Denver City Council voted to bar retailers from selling or offering any “flavored tobacco products.” In March 2025, e-cigarette retailers—including Phil Guerin—submitted 17,000 signatures, securing a Nov. 4 referendum. Guerin said getting the measure on the ballot cost over $240,000.

Under the ballot rules, a Yes vote keeps the ban; a No vote repeals it. City data show the pro-ban camp had raised over $2 million by Oct. 8, versus about $468,000 for opponents.

Guerin criticized Bloomberg as being “out of touch with Denver,” arguing that cigarettes—not e-cigarettes—should be targeted. He said the ban affects roughly 550 retailers and could mean $13 million in lost sales-tax revenue.

Meanwhile, city officials and medical experts estimate flavored tobacco leads to $2.2 billion in annual healthcare costs, $4.4 billion in productivity losses, and $415 million in Medicaid spending—an estimated $772 tax burden per household.

Cover image: denvergazette