According to the CDC, Smoking and secondhand smoke contribute to heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, and increase the risk of pneumonia, bronchitis, and ear infections in children. Tobacco products and secondhand smoke not only harm human health, but they can harm animals and our community’s environment.
To report a public establishment that does not enforce a smoke-free policy, sells tobacco products to minors, or has policies that create secondhand smoke in a public apartment building, complete the online smoking violation report form.
The Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act (CCIAA) has been updated to protect most indoor places from secondhand smoke and aerosol. Nearly all indoor public places are smoke- and vape-free, including restaurants, bars, libraries, all hotel/motel units, theaters, common areas in multi-unit dwellings, and many other places. A building’s main entryway must also be smoke and vape-free and smoking or vaping should not take place within 25 feet of that entryway (unless otherwise stated by local code).
Over 80% of survey respondents in Douglas County agreed or strongly agreed that they wished hotel and motel rooms, public spaces, and outdoor seating/dining areas were smoke- and vape-free; however, respondents were more likely to agree that these spaces should be smoke-free compared to vape-free.
Because vape devices contain many hazardous components, such as heavy metals, lithium-ion batteries, microplastics, and toxic chemicals, vape-related litter can cause considerable damage to the environment. If improperly disposed of:
