Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in Colorado, but thanks to ongoing prevention efforts, smoking rates have declined among many adult populations. That’s something to celebrate.
According to the 2022 Attitudes and Behaviors Survey (TABS), not all Coloradans are benefitting equally from tobacco control efforts. Some communities—including Black, Latino, American Indian, rural, and LGBTQ+ residents, along with people with low incomes or mental health challenges—continue to experience significantly higher smoking and vaping rates. For those with overlapping identities, the risk is even greater.
In fact, smoking rates can be up to four times higher compared to people without these risk factors.
The survey also showed a rise in vaping, which is especially concerning. Many adults now use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes, mistakenly believing vaping will help them quit smoking. Meanwhile, younger adults and even people who’ve never smoked are picking up vaping, introducing a new path to nicotine addiction, not a way out.
The data also shows that menthol cigarettes are still a major issue. Use is highest among Black Coloradans, LGBTQ+ communities, and younger adults—groups that have been historically targeted by tobacco companies through the promotion of flavored products.
More people are trying to quit. More are using proven tools like nicotine replacement therapies, like lozenges, patches, and gum designed to help people quit, and the Colorado QuitLine. And strong public policies—like smoke-free workplace protections and increased tobacco taxes—are working.
But there’s more work to do to ensure all Coloradans are living their healthiest, tobacco- and nicotine-free lives. This means ensuring every community has access to effective, culturally relevant support to quit, and policies that protect them from exposure to secondhand smoke and vapor, especially in multi-unit housing.
The path forward is clear: continue reducing barriers, expanding resources, and protecting the progress we’ve made—so that every Coloradan has the opportunity to breathe easier.