Behind Denver’s Flavor Ban: A Story of Youth, Activism, and Victory

Change isn’t a quiet thing. It doesn’t drift in softly or tiptoe around obstacles. Real, meaningful change arrives like a thunderstorm, on that was loud, relentless, and unstoppable. In Denver, that storm came in the form of a powerful coalition of youth advocates, grassroots organizers, and local policymakers who stood together against one of the most pervasive public health threats of our time: flavored nicotine products.

Their victory, the passage of a comprehensive ban on flavored nicotine products, was the culmination of months, even years, of relentless effort by individuals and groups who refused to accept the status quo. It was a battle for the health, safety, and future of Denver’s youth, a battle won not with wealth or power, but with courage, unity, and an unshakable belief in the power of people.

A Manufactured Crisis with Real Consequences

For decades, the tobacco and vaping industries have profited from addiction. They have used clever marketing and deceptive tactics to hook a new generation on nicotine, disguising their products as harmless, even glamorous. Flavored nicotine products—vapes that taste like bubblegum or menthol cigarettes that promise a smooth, cool hit—are the latest evolution of this strategy. These products are designed with one goal in mind: to make nicotine appealing to young people.

According to the 2021 National Youth Tobacco Survey, more than 2 million U.S. middle and high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2021, with more than 8 in 10 of those youth using flavored e-cigarettes.

And they’ve succeeded. Across the country, youth vaping has skyrocketed, with studies showing that over 80% of teens who use nicotine products start with flavors. Denver has not been immune. Schools are grappling with students vaping in bathrooms and classrooms. Parents are discovering devices disguised as USB drives in their children’s backpacks. Health officials are warning of the long-term consequences of an addiction crisis that could eclipse the smoking epidemic of previous generations.

But here’s the thing: every crisis presents an opportunity for action. And in Denver, that opportunity was seized by a coalition of advocates who understood that doing nothing was not an option. They knew the stakes were too high, and they decided to fight back.

Youth Advocates: The Heart of the Movement

Let’s start with the young people because they were the soul of this movement. Youth advocates didn’t just join the fight, they led it. They were the ones who first raised the alarm, who brought the urgency of the issue to the forefront, and who made it impossible for anyone to look away.

Hart Van Denburg/CPR News. Isaac Hysten listens as City Council member Darrell Watson (right) talks about the necessity of a flavored nicotine ban at a press conference.

These weren’t seasoned lobbyists or public health officials. They were students, many of them still in high school, who had seen the damage flavored nicotine was causing in their own lives and communities. They knew friends who had started vaping “just to try it” and couldn’t stop. They had watched peers struggle with the grip of addiction, unable to focus in class or think about much else. They had seen how flavors that seemed harmless—strawberry, mango, mint—were anything but.

Youth advocates showed up everywhere. They testified at city council meetings, often speaking with a level of conviction and authenticity that silenced even the most hardened skeptics. They organized rallies and marches, creating powerful visuals that told the story of what was happening in Denver’s schools. They used social media to spread their message, harnessing platforms like Instagram and TikTok to reach their peers and inspire action.

Colette Bordelon/ ABC7 News. William Navarrete Moreno (left) engaging in an interview with ABC7 Denver, discussing the ban.

And they didn’t just speak out—they strategized. These young leaders worked with grassroots organizations to understand the legislative process, build coalitions, and ensure their voices were heard in spaces where decisions were being made. Their presence was transformative, going beyond participants in the movement, and became its driving force.

William Navarrete Moreno/TheCHANGEproject. The Colorado Black Health Coalition and CU CHANGE engage in a learning session on tobacco as a social justice issue.

Grassroots Organizing: The Backbone of the Campaign

Behind every great movement is a network of grassroots organizers who turn passion into action. In Denver, these organizations were the backbone of the campaign to ban flavored nicotine. They provided the structure, strategy, and support needed to transform outrage into measurable change.

Grassroots groups understood that change doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires a collective effort, one that brings together people from all walks of life. They reached out to parents, teachers, healthcare workers, and community leaders, ensuring that everyone had a seat at the table. They held town halls and workshops to educate the public about the dangers of flavored nicotine, turning confusion into clarity and apathy into action.

These organizers also understood the power of storytelling. They helped young people and families share their experiences, creating a narrative that was impossible to ignore. A parent talking about a child who couldn’t quit vaping. A teacher describing the toll addiction was taking on their students. A doctor explaining the long-term health consequences of nicotine use. These stories gave the campaign its moral weight, reminding everyone that this wasn’t just about policy—it was about people.

And when it came time to mobilize, grassroots organizations were ready. They organized rallies outside city hall, gathered petitions, and flooded council members with calls and emails. They knew that the tobacco industry would fight back with everything it had, and they were determined to match that energy with an even greater force: the will of the people.

Local Leaders: Standing Firm Against the Odds

Change also requires leadership, and Denver’s local policymakers rose to the occasion. These leaders faced immense pressure from the tobacco and vaping industries, which poured resources into lobbying against the ban. But they didn’t waver. They understood that their primary responsibility was to the people of Denver, not to corporate interests.

Policymakers worked closely with advocates, listening to testimony, reviewing data, and crafting a policy that reflected the community’s needs and values. They hosted hearings, asked tough questions, and stood firm in the face of opposition. Their leadership was a testament to what’s possible when elected officials prioritize public health over politics.

But their work wasn’t done in isolation. They relied on the strength of the coalition behind them—the youth advocates, the grassroots organizers, the community members who showed up day after day to make their voices heard. Together, they built a policy that wasn’t just strong but unshakable, a testament to the power of collective action.

The Power of Unity

What happened in Denver wasn’t a fluke. It wasn’t a one-off victory or the work of a single group. It was the result of unity, of people coming together across generations, backgrounds, and perspectives to fight for a common cause.

The youth brought energy, authenticity, and urgency. Grassroots organizations brought strategy, resources, and connections. Local leaders brought authority, credibility, and the ability to turn advocacy into action. Each played a critical role, and each relied on the others to succeed.

This is what real change looks like. It’s not easy. It’s not quick. And it’s certainly not guaranteed. But when people come together, when they refuse to back down, and when they are willing to fight for what they believe in, the impossible becomes possible.

A Legacy of Hope

Denver’s flavor ban is a declaration that this city values its youth, its health, and its future more than the profits of an exploitative industry. It’s a reminder that the most powerful forces in our society aren’t corporations or lobbyists—they’re people. Ordinary people with extraordinary determination.

And this isn’t the end of the story. The work continues. The same coalition that achieved this victory will need to defend it, to expand it, and to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. Because the fight against flavored nicotine isn’t just Denver’s fight—it’s a fight for every community that values its children more than its commerce.

Denver has shown us what’s possible. They’ve given us a roadmap. Now it’s up to the rest of us to follow their lead. Because if there’s one thing this story teaches us, it’s that change is never out of reach—not when people decide to reach for it together.