Liz Copan / ecopan@summitdaily.com
SILVERTHORNE — At Wednesday’s Silverthorne Town Council meeting, Silverthorne became the final incorporated town in Summit County to consider nicotine restrictions. The action item proposed the same combination of ordinances seen in Breckenridge, Dillon and Frisco government. These proposed ordinances include raising the age for purchasing tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21 and requiring retailers to hold licenses.
During the public comment period, Summit County director of public health Amy Wineland, local nurse Lauren Gilbert, students from the Youth Empowerment Society of Summit and retired doctor Don Parsons all made comments advocating for these restrictions using statistics and anecdotal evidence of the prevalence and dangers of vaping in Summit County.
After some discussion, the council passed unanimously on first reading increasing the legal age to purchase nicotine from 18 to 21 and a licensing requirement for businesses.
Second reading of the two ordinances will occur at the next Silverthorne Town Council meeting Aug. 28. The intergovernmental agreement placing a sales tax on nicotine products also will be brought to council for consideration that night.
Community members wishing to speak on the issue are encouraged to attend.