Why does Denver get investment from technology companies, AI, healthcare, and beyond, and Aurora is given the vice industries?
At an event that hearkened back to Big Tobacco’s 1950s heyday, Gov. Jared Polis, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, and other city and state officials and tobacco industry leaders toasted the announcement that Phillip Morris will be building a giant factory in Aurora to produce their new, highly addictive Zyn nicotine pouches. It has been reported that the city will provide more than $7 million in taxpayer-funded incentives to Phillip Morris for this project, which they say will bring thousands of jobs and tax revenue.
Seven million dollars in tax incentives to roll out the red carpet for Phillip Morris? The move defies comprehension for anyone who remembers this company’s long history of targeting the Black community, women, young adults, the misleading statements, and the carnage they are currently inflicting on the American people.
Our citizens deserve truly good jobs that solve America’s problems and help families prosper, not addict them and shorten their life expectancy. The city of Aurora should reverse course and reject Big Tobacco’s lies with this project, which could have a fateful impact on the rest of the country.
Luke Niforatos was raised in Aurora and now resides in Highlands Ranch. He is the Executive Vice President of the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions.
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